Knee prosthesis assembly with ligament link

- Biomet Manufacturing, LLC

A prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component and a bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component. The assembly further includes a tibial tray. Furthermore, the assembly includes a ligament link operably coupled to the tibial tray or the femoral component via a coupling component. The ligament link extending through the other of the tibial tray or the femoral component to couple to the respective one of the femur or tibia. The ligament link extends between first and second ends and includes an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion. First and second apertures extend through the wall. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/181,938, filed on May 28, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/489,168 filed on Jun. 22, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/474,802 filed on May 29, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of (a) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/196,405 filed on Aug. 22, 2008; (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/196,407 filed on Aug. 22, 2008; (c) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/196,410 filed on Aug. 22, 2008; and (d) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,506 filed on Sep. 29, 2006, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,601,165 issued on Oct. 13, 2009.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/570,854 filed on Sep. 30, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of (a) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/014,399 filed on Jan. 15, 2008; and (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/014,340 filed on Jan. 15, 2008.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/702,067 filed on Feb. 8, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,505 filed on Sep. 29, 2006 and is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,751 issued on Feb. 9, 2010.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/196,398 filed Aug. 22, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,821 filed Apr. 10, 2007.

The disclosures of all the above applications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The following relates to a knee prosthesis assembly and, more particularly, to a knee prosthesis assembly with a ligament link.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Prosthetic joints can reduce pain due to arthritis, anatomical deterioration, deformation, and the like. By replacing or strengthening the anatomy, prosthetic joints can improve mobility of the joint.

Anatomical knee joints may leave intact a plurality of anatomical ligaments, which extend between and connect the bones of the knee joint. In some cases, the prosthetic knee joint can be implanted, leaving one or more of these anatomical ligaments intact. In other cases, if an anatomical ligament is compromised, the ligament is removed and a more constrained prosthetic knee joint is implanted.

In other instances where there is only soft tissue damage, an end of an anatomical ligament that has become disconnected from bone can be reattached to the bone with a fastener. Also, in some cases, the anatomical ligament can be resected and at least a portion of the resected ligament can be replaced by an autograft, allograft, xenograft, or artificial graft. These grafts can be attached to a remaining portion of the anatomical ligament and/or to bone using a fastener, etc.

The following disclosure relates to a knee prosthesis assembly that restores function of a resected and/or removed anatomical ligament. The knee prosthesis assembly of the present disclosure can be quickly and conveniently implanted.

SUMMARY

A prosthetic knee joint assembly for a knee joint with a tibia and a femur is disclosed. The assembly includes a femoral component that engages the femur and at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon. Also, the assembly includes a tibial tray that supports the bearing and engages the tibia. The assembly also includes a ligament link coupling component included on the femoral component or the tibial tray. The assembly additionally includes a ligament link operably coupled to the one of the tibial tray or the femoral component via the ligament link coupling component. The ligament link also extending through the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia. The ligament link extends from a first end to a second end, and the ligament link has an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion. The ligament link also has a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the ligament link additionally has a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop.

A method of implanting a prosthetic knee joint assembly is also disclosed. The method includes operably coupling a femoral component of the knee joint assembly to a femur of a patient. The method also includes operably coupling a tibial component of the knee joint assembly to a tibia of the patient. Furthermore, the method includes operably coupling a ligament link to one of the femur or the tibia. In addition, the method includes operably coupling the ligament link directly to one of the tibial component or the femoral component via a ligament link coupling component included on the one of the tibial component or the femoral component. The ligament link extends from a first end to a second end, and the ligament link has an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion. The ligament link also has a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the ligament link additionally has a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop.

Still further, a prosthetic knee joint assembly for a knee joint of a patient with a tibia and a femur is disclosed. The prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component that engages the femur. The femoral component includes a medial and lateral condyle portion connected by a patellar track portion as well as an intercondylar opening defined between the medial and lateral condyle portions. Also, the assembly includes at least one bearing that supports articulation of at least one of the medial and lateral condyle portions thereon. Moreover, the assembly includes a tibial tray that supports the bearing and that engages the tibia. The tibial tray includes a plurality of coupling components, and the coupling components are disposed on an anterior portion of the tibial tray. The coupling components are disposed on opposite sides of a medial plane of the tibial tray. Additionally, the assembly includes a ligament link operably coupled to the tibial tray via the coupling component. The ligament link is also operable to couple to the femur. The ligament link extends through the intercondylar opening, and the ligament link extends from a first end to a second end. The ligament link has an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion, and the ligament link also includes a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The ligament link also includes a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop and a first free end. The second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop and a second free end. The first and second free ends are pullable to increase a tension in the ligament link.

Moreover, a prosthetic knee joint assembly for a knee joint of a patient with a tibia and a femur is disclosed. The prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component that engages the femur. The femoral component includes a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion separated at a distance apart to define an intercondylar opening. The femoral component includes a ligament link coupling component extending from at least one of the first and second condylar portions into the intercondylar opening. Additionally, the assembly includes at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon and a tibial tray that engages the tibia. The tibial tray includes a superior surface that supports the bearing thereon, and the tibial tray includes an opening. Furthermore, the assembly includes a ligament link operably coupled to the femoral component via the coupling component. The ligament link also extends through the opening to operably couple to the tibia. Additionally, the ligament link extends from a first end to a second end and has an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion. The ligament link includes a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The ligament link also includes a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends. The first end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop and a first free end. Also, the second end extends through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop and a second free end. The first and second free ends are pullable to increase a tension in the ligament link.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an anterior perspective view of a knee prosthesis assembly according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a posterior perspective view of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lateral perspective view of a femoral component of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a superior perspective view of a tibial tray of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an inferior perspective view of the tibial tray of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mobile bearing of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fixed bearing of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a locking bar associated with the fixed bearing of a knee prosthesis of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded posterior view of a knee prosthesis constructed in accordance to additional features of the present teachings;

FIG. 10 is a posterior perspective view of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an anterior perspective view of a tibial tray and fixed bearing portion of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mobile bearing that slidably cooperates within a pocket formed on the fixed bearing of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a knee prosthesis constructed in accordance to additional features of the present teachings;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a tibial tray of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 13 according to various other exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a tibial tray of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 13 according to various other exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are top views of a portion of a ligament link according to various embodiments for the knee prosthesis of the present teachings, wherein FIG. 16A shows the portion in an unlooped state and FIG. 16B shows the portion in a looped state;

FIG. 17 is a section view of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 13 according to various other exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 18 is an environmental view of the knee prosthesis of FIG. 13 with a partial cutway of a femur according to various other exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 19 is an exploded, perspective view of another knee prosthesis assembly according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the knee prosthesis assembly of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the tibial component of the knee prosthesis assembly of FIG. 19 taken along the line 21-21.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a knee prosthesis assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present teachings is shown and generally identified at reference numeral 10. The knee prosthesis assembly 10 can generally include a femoral component 12, a tibial tray 14, a first bearing 16 (a medial bearing), and a second bearing 18 (a lateral bearing). As will be described, the knee prosthesis assembly 10 can be used when it is desirable to retain or reconstruct an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and/or a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Although the illustrated prosthesis assembly 10 is intended for a left knee of a patient, it will be appreciated that the prosthesis assembly 10 could include similar features to be configured for implantation in a right knee of a patient as well.

The respective components of the knee prosthesis assembly 10 can be patient specific, such that each component can be constructed for optimal features for a given patient. For example, the bone interface margins of the femoral component 12 and tibial tray 14 can be patient specific for optimized bone coverage. In addition, the overall size, such as anterior-posterior dimensions and bone cut geometry can be determined and used for manufacturing the components of the knee prosthesis assembly 10. Moreover, some articulation features can be determined and used as criteria for forming the components of the knee prosthesis assembly 10. In sum, each of the components of the knee prosthesis assembly 10 can be a patient-specific implant, a semi-custom implant or an off-the-shelf or standard production implant. A custom-made implant is a patient-specific, one-of-a-kind implant specifically made for a particular patient, and consequently there is no inventory associated with such implant. Standard or off-the-shelf implants are available and stocked in a number of sizes, typically six or more, and a number of configurations or types, including bilateral or unilateral implants, constrained, semi-constrained, mobile, etc. Because of the variety of sizes and configurations that are kept in stock for different patients, a large inventory of standard implants is created, and several molds for each type and size of implant may be used. Semi-custom implants can provide an intermediate solution between custom-made and off-the-shelf implants. Semi-custom implants reduce the size of inventory and molds required for production, while allowing some degree of patient-specific customization. Additional description of patient-specific implants and semi-custom implants and their implementations may be found in copending patent application Ser. No. 12/103,824, filed Apr. 16, 2008 and entitled: Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing An Implant, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, the femoral component 12 will now be described in greater detail. The femoral component 12 can generally comprise a cruciate retaining prosthesis and can include various portions to replace or mimic the distal femur. The femoral component 12 can include a medial condyle portion 20 and a lateral condyle portion 22. The condyle portions 20, 22 can include a convex, rounded contact surface that extends generally in an anterior/posterior direction similar to anatomical condyles. The condyle portions 20, 22 can respectively replace the anatomical medial and lateral condyles of a distal femur. The condyle portions 20, 22 can be connected by a patellar track portion 26. Thus, the femoral component 12 can be generally U-shaped and curved in the superior direction. The condyle portions 20, 22 and patellar track portion 26 can be integrally connected so as to be monolithic. The patellar track portion 26 can allow for articulation of a patella (not shown), either natural or prosthetic, once the femoral component 12 is implanted onto the distal femur. The condyle portions 20, 22 and the patellar track portion 26 can generally define an exterior portion of the femoral component 12. The femoral component 12 can define an intercondylar opening 30 or passage between the medial and lateral condyle portions 20, 22 (i.e., the open and unobstructed area disposed posteriorly from the patellar track portion 26).

As will be discussed, the opening 30 can accommodate and provide clearance for an anatomical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and/or an anatomical posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Furthermore, as will be discussed, the opening 30 can accommodate and provide clearance for a ligament link (e.g., an autograft, an allograft, a xenograft, an artificial graft, or a combination thereof) for reconstructing and restoring function of the anatomical ACL and/or PCL.

The femoral component 12 can include a bone contacting or superior surface 34 (FIG. 2). The superior surface 34 can include an anterior surface 36 that can be substantially flat and formed generally parallel to a pair of posterior surfaces 38a, 38b. A pair of intermediate surfaces 40a, 40b are provided generally at an intermediate portion of the superior surface 34. A pair of angled anterior transition surfaces 42a, 42b can generally connect the anterior surface 36 with the intermediate surfaces 40a, 40b. Similarly, a pair of angled posterior transition surfaces 44a, 44b can be provided between the respective posterior surfaces 38a, 38b and the intermediate surfaces 40a, 40b. In one example, a threaded boss 50a, 50b can be provided on each of the intermediate surfaces 40a, 40b, respectively. Similarly, a threaded boss 52a, 52b can be provided on the posterior surfaces 38a, 38b, respectively. The bosses 50a, 50b, 52a, 52b can be optionally used to threadably couple with various augments (not specifically shown) as necessary.

The femoral component 12 can be formed as a unitary structure and cast of a biocompatible high strength alloy, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy or similar suitable material. All surfaces, which do not contact the femur, can be highly polished to provide smooth articulating bearing surfaces. The superior surface 34 of the femoral component 12 can be roughened or uneven or include porous material to allow bone ingrowth or attachment with bone cement. Other features of the femoral component 10 can include those associated with the Oxford® Partial Knee, which is marketed by Biomet, Inc. of Warsaw, Ind.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the tibial tray 14 will now be described in greater detail. The tibial tray 14 can include a generally U-shaped body having a medial portion 60 and a lateral portion 62. An anterior portion 61 can extend between and can connect to both the medial and lateral portions 60, 62. The medial, anterior, and lateral portions 60, 61, 62 can be integrally connected so as to be monolithic. As will be discussed, the open and unobstructed area disposed posteriorly from the anterior portion 61 and between the medial and lateral portions 60, 62 can provide clearance for an anatomical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an anatomical posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), or a ligament link (e.g., an autograft, an allograft, a xenograft, an artificial graft, or a combination thereof) for reconstructing and restoring function of the anatomical ACL and/or PCL.

A slot 64 can be defined in the tibial tray 14 generally between the medial, anterior, and lateral portions 60, 61, 62. As with the intercondylar opening 30 of the femoral component 12, the slot 64 of the tibial tray 14 can accommodate and provide a clearance for an anatomical ACL, an anatomical PCL, and/or a ligament link (e.g., autograft, allograft, xenograft, artificial graft, or combination thereof). In other embodiments that will be discussed, a ligament link can be operably coupled directly to the tibial tray 14.

During implantation, the tibial tray 14 can be advanced posteriorly, such that the slot 64 can accommodate the anatomical ACL, anatomical PCL, and/or ligament link. In instances where a ligament link is used to reconstruct the anatomical ACL and/or anatomical PCL, a trial tibial tray (as well as trial bearings, etc.) having corresponding geometries can be utilized. One suitable configuration is further described in commonly owned in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,715, issued Aug. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The tibial tray 14 can include an inferior bone engaging side 66 (FIG. 5) and a superior bearing engaging side 68 (FIG. 4). The medial portion 60 of the superior bearing engaging side 68 can include a highly polished tibial bearing surface 70. A rail 72 can extend in a generally anterior/posterior direction adjacent to the highly polished tibial bearing surface 70. The lateral portion 62 can include engaging structure 78 provided on the superior bearing engaging side 68. The engaging structure 78 can include a pair of posts 80, 82 integrally formed at an anterior edge thereof. A retaining rail 84 can extend superiorly from a posterior edge of the lateral portion 62. The posts 80, 82 can both have an anterior groove 86 and a posterior groove 88, respectively. The retaining rail 84 can have a transverse groove 90 formed on an inwardly facing surface. The tibial tray 14 can be generally manufactured of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy or other suitable biocompatible material. A pair of fins 94 can extend from the inferior bone engaging side 66. While fins 94 are shown operatively associated with the tibial tray 14, other structures suitable for engaging a proximal tibia can include pegs, posts or porous material can additionally or alternatively be provided on the inferior bone engaging side 66.

The bearings 16, 18 will now be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bearing 16 (medial floating bearing) is moveably supported by the tibial tray 14, and the second bearing 18 (lateral fixed bearing) is fixedly supported by the tibial tray 14. However, it will be appreciated that the first and second bearings 16, 18 could both be fixedly supported by the tibial tray 14 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, it will be appreciated that both bearings 16, 18 could be moveably supported by the tibial tray 14. Additionally, while the embodiment shown in the figures includes a floating bearing provided on a medial side and a fixed bearing provided on a lateral side, the location of these bearings can be swapped. Still further, it will be appreciated that the assembly 10 could include a single, monolithic bearing (floating or fixed) that extends across each of the medial, anterior, and lateral portions 60, 61, 62 of the tibial tray 14 while still providing clearance for the slot 64 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the embodiment of the first bearing 16 will now be described in greater detail. The first bearing 16 has a substantially planar inferior bearing surface 100 which slidably moves and articulates relative to the highly polished tibial bearing surface 70. The first bearing 16 further includes a first bearing surface 102. The first bearing surface 102 articulates with the medial condyle portion 20 of the femoral component 12. The first bearing 16 can be formed from a surgical grade, low friction, and low wearing plastic, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or other suitable material.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the second bearing 18 can include engaging structure 106 formed on an inferior surface for coupling with the engaging structure 78 provided on the lateral portion 62 of the tibial tray 14. The engaging structure 106 can generally include a posteriorly extending lip 110 and an anterior groove 112. A locking bar 114 (FIG. 8) can be slidably inserted through the slot 112 to interlock between the respective grooves 86 to capture the second bearing 18 to the lateral portion 62 of the tibial tray 14. The posteriorly extending lip 110 can be nestingly received by the retaining rail 84. The second bearing 18 can include a second bearing surface 120. The second bearing surface 120 can articulate with the lateral condyle portion 22 of the femoral component 12. The second bearing 18 can be formed from a surgical grade, low friction and low wearing plastic, such as UHMWPE or other suitable material.

During use, the medial and lateral condyle portions 20, 22 of the femoral component 12 can articulate on the first and second bearing surfaces 102, 120 of the respective bearings 16, 18. As can be appreciated, the second bearing 18 is static relative to the tibial tray 14 during articulation of the femoral component 12. The first bearing 16 is free to slide along the highly polished tibial bearing surface 70 of the medial portion 60 of the tibial tray 14. Movement of the first bearing 16 is limited by an inboard side of the rail 72.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-11, a knee prosthesis assembly constructed in accordance to additional features of the present teachings is shown and generally identified at reference numeral 210. The knee prosthesis assembly 210 can generally include a femoral component 212, a tibial tray 214, a medial side having a fixed bearing 216 that cooperates with a mobile bearing 218 and a lateral side having a fixed bearing 220. The femoral component 212 can be constructed similar to the femoral component 12 described above. The fixed bearing 220 can be constructed similar to the lateral fixed bearing 18 described above. The mobile bearing 218 can provide articulation that is fully conforming with the femoral component 212. The mobile bearing 218 can be captured around its perimeter by a pocket 222 formed by the fixed bearing 216. In this way, the mobile bearing 218 can have a reduced likelihood of becoming dislocated relative to the fixed bearing 216. While the fixed bearing 216 and mobile bearing 218 are shown generally associated with the lateral side of the tibial tray 214, such a configuration can be additionally or alternatively provided on the medial portion of the tibial tray 214. In one example, the mobile bearing 218 can be formed by polyethylene or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). As shown in FIG. 11, the fixed bearing 216 can have a pair of channels 226 formed thereon for guiding tabs 230 provided on the mobile bearing 218 (FIG. 12).

Referring now to FIG. 13, a knee prosthesis assembly constructed in accordance to additional features of the present teachings is shown and generally identified at reference numeral 310. Components that correspond to the components of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 are indicated with corresponding reference numerals increased by 300. The assembly 310 can incorporate any of the features disclosed in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,966, filed May 27, 2010, which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0305698 on Dec. 2, 2010, entitled KNEE PROSTHESIS ASSEMBLY WITH LIGAMENT LINK, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,978, filed May 27, 2010, which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0292792 on Nov. 18, 2010, entitled PROSTHETIC LIGAMENT SYSTEM FOR KNEE JOINT, both of which are filed concurrently herewith, and each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The knee prosthesis assembly 310 is shown relative to a resected anatomical femur 313 and a resected anatomical tibia 315, each of which are shown in phantom. The knee prosthesis assembly 310 can operatively and moveably couple to the resected anatomical femur 313 and the resected anatomical tibia 315 in order to support movement of the knee joint.

Also, the prosthesis assembly 310 is shown relative to an anatomical resected ligament 321, which is shown in phantom. In the embodiments represented in FIG. 13, the ligament 321 can be an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is attached to the femur 313 and which has been resected or otherwise detached from the tibia 315. However, it will be appreciated that the ligament 321 could be of any suitable type, such as a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that the ligament 321 could be intraoperatively resected from the tibia 315 while the prosthesis assembly 310 is being implanted, or the ligament 321 could be detached from the tibia 315 before surgery, due to injury, etc.

As shown in FIG. 13, the prosthesis assembly 310 can also include a ligament link 319. The ligament link 319 can be an autograft, an allograft, a xenograft, an artificial graft, or any combination thereof. The ligament link 319 can be flexible, and can withstand relatively high tension. Also, the ligament link 319 can pierce and extend through the ligament 321. In other embodiments, the ligament link 319 can operably couple to the ligament 321 via fasteners (e.g., sutures, and the like). In still other embodiments, the ligament link 319 can be operably coupled directly to the femur 313 with the ligament 321 eliminated altogether. Furthermore, the ligament link 319 can operably couple to the tibial tray 314 in a manner to be discussed.

The femoral component 312 of the prosthesis assembly 310 can be substantially similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11. As shown, the intercondylar opening 330 can provide clearance for the ligament 321 and the ligament link 319.

The bearings 316, 318 can also be substantially similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11. Furthermore, the tibial tray 314 can be substantially similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11, except the tibial tray 314 can include at least one or more coupling components 317a, 317b. As will be discussed, the coupling components 317a, 317b can operably couple to the ligament link 319.

The coupling components 317a, 317b can have any suitable shape, size, and location on the tibial tray 314. For instance, as shown in FIG. 13, the coupling components 317a, 317b can each be grooves or recesses that are disposed on the anterior portion 361 of the tibial tray 314. In addition, the coupling components 317a, 317b can be defined in an inferior, anterior edge 323 of the tray 314. Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the coupling components 317a, 317b can each have an axis X′ that is disposed at a positive acute angle, α, relative to a longitudinal axis X of the tibia 315. Accordingly, the coupling component 317a, 317b can be oriented substantially normal to the force of tension in the ligament link 319 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 13, a selected one of the coupling components 317a, 317b can receive the ligament link 319 and retain the ligament link 319 against movement in the medial-lateral direction. For instance, the ligament link 319 can loop or wrap around and be received in the selected coupling component 317a, 317b. Accordingly, the ligament link 319 can maintain necessary tension and can support movement of the knee joint.

It will be appreciated that the tibial tray 314 can include any number of coupling components 317a, 317b. As shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 13, there can be two coupling components 317a, 317b that are spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of a median plane P of the tibial tray 314. It will be appreciated that the tibial tray 314 can be a universal tibial tray 314 that is suitable for implantation in either a patient's right knee or a patient's left knee. If the tibial tray 314 is implanted in a left knee, the coupling component 317a can be used to retain the ligament link 319, and if the tibial tray 314 is implanted in a right knee, the coupling component 317b can be used to retain the ligament link 319.

In additional embodiments represented in FIG. 14, the coupling components 317a′, 317b′ can each be through holes. As shown, the coupling components 317a′, 317b′ can have a linear axis and can extend axially through both the superior side 368′ of the anterior portion 361′ of the tibial tray 314′ as well as the inferior side (not specifically shown in FIG. 14). Thus, the ligament link (not specifically shown in FIG. 14) can extend through either of the coupling components 317a′, 317b′ in order to operably couple to the tibial tray 314′. For instance, the ligament link can extend through the selected coupling component 317a′, 317b′ and can be knotted or tied to secure the ligament link.

In still other embodiments represented in FIG. 15, the coupling components 317a″, 317b″ can each be eyelets that selectively open and close. It will be appreciated that the coupling component 317b″ is shown closed, and the coupling component 317a″ is shown open in the embodiments of FIG. 15. More specifically, the coupling components 317a″, 317b″ can each include a respective clasp 331a″, 331b″. Each clasp 331a″, 331b″ can be hingeably attached at one end to the anterior portion 361″ of the tibial tray 314″. The opposite end of each clasp 331a″, 331b″ can be selectively secured to and detached from the anterior portion 361″ of the tibial tray 314″. When the clasp 331a″, 331b″ is closed, the respective coupling component 317a″, 317b″ can secure the ligament link (not specifically shown) to the tibial tray 314″. On the other hand, when the clasp 331a″, 331b″ is open, the ligament link can move into the respective coupling component 317a″, 317b″.

It will be appreciated that the ligament link 319 can be attached to the tibial tray 314 by the manufacturer or by other personnel before implantation surgery. Thus, the assembly 310 can be implanted more efficiently because the surgeon or other medical professional need not spend time intraoperatively tying knots or otherwise attaching the ligament link 319 to the tibial tray 314.

In other embodiments, the surgeon can intraoperatively attach the ligament link 319 to the tibial tray 314. For instance, the surgeon can select a ligament link 319 for implantation from a plurality of different ligament links 319 based on a desired tension, geometry, material, or other characteristic of the ligament link 319. Then, the surgeon can intraoperatively attach the ligament link 319 to both the anatomical ligament 321 and the tibial tray 314.

Furthermore, the ligament link 319 can be an optional feature. For instance, if the surgeon chooses not to use the ligament link 319 (and assuming that the ligament link 319 is attached to the tibial tray 314 by the manufacturer), the surgeon can cut or simply remove the ligament link 319 from the tibial tray 314 before attaching the tibial tray 314 to the resected tibia 315. Accordingly, the tibial tray 314 can be very versatile.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, additional features of the ligament link 419 according to the present teachings will be discussed. Components that correspond with those of the embodiments of FIG. 13 are identified with corresponding reference numerals increased by 100. It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the ligament link 419 shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B can be only a portion of the ligament link of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the ligament link 419 can be elongate and flexible and can extend from a first end 441 to a second end 443. Furthermore, the ligament link 419 can have an outer wall 439 that defines a longitudinal passage portion 445, which is disposed between the first and second ends 441, 443. The longitudinal passage portion 445 can be hollow. Moreover, the ligament link 419 can include a first aperture 447 that extends through the wall 439 and that is disposed between the first and second ends 441, 443. Moreover, the ligament link 419 can include a second aperture 449 that extends through the wall 439 and that is disposed between the first and second ends 441, 443. More specifically, the first aperture 447 can be disposed between the first end 441 and the longitudinal passage portion 445, and the second aperture 449 can be disposed between the second end 443 and the longitudinal passage portion 445.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the first end 441 can extend through the first aperture 447, through the longitudinal passage portion 445, and out of the longitudinal passage portion 445 via the second aperture 449. Likewise, the second end 443 can extend through the second aperture 449, through the longitudinal passage portion 445, and out of the longitudinal passage portion 445 via the first aperture 447. As such, the first end 441 can define a first adjustable loop 451 and a first free end 453. Likewise, the second end 443 can define a second adjustable loop 455 and a second free end 457.

The ligament link 419 can be made out of any suitable material, such as a flexible, high-strength, braided material. In some embodiments, some of the fibers in the link 419 can be inelastic while other fibers in the link 419 can be elastic and resilient. Moreover, in some embodiments, the fibers within the link 419 can have varying diameters. In addition, the ligament link 419 can have any of the various features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0318961, published Dec. 24, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, in some embodiments, the fibers within the link 419 can have material properties of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,978, filed May 27, 2010, which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0292792 on Nov. 18, 2010, which is entitled PROSTHETIC LIGAMENT SYSTEM FOR KNEE JOINT, which is filed concurrently herewith, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 17, the ligament link 419 can operably couple to both the anatomical resected ligament 421 and the tibial tray 414. For instance, the ligament link 419 also includes a suture 463 or other fastener that is attached to the ligament 421. More specifically, the suture 463 can pierce the ligament 421, and the longitudinal passage portion 445 can extend through the suture 463 and can be folded such that both of the adjustable loops 451, 455 extend toward the tibial tray 414. The first and second adjustable loops 451, 455 can loop around the anterior portion 461 of the tibial tray 414 and can be retained within the coupling component 417a of the tibial tray 414. In other embodiments, the ligament link 419 can be coupled directly to the ligament 421 without the suture 463. In still other embodiments, one adjustable loop 451 can loop around the tibial tray 414 while the other adjustable loop 455 is coupled to the suture 463 or directly to the ligament 421.

Subsequently, the first and/or second free ends 453, 457 can be pulled away from the longitudinal passage portion 445 (as represented by two arrows in FIG. 17) in order to reduce the size of the adjustable loops 451, 455, to pull the ligament 421 toward the tibial tray 414, and to increase and adjust tension in the ligament link 419. This can be performed intraoperatively (i.e., during surgery in the operating room). Furthermore, friction between the first and second ends 441, 443 and the longitudinal passage portion 445 can maintain this adjusted level of tension in the ligament link 419.

Referring now to FIG. 18, additional features of the prosthesis assembly 510 will be discussed. Components corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 are indicated with corresponding reference numerals increased by 500.

As shown, the ligament link 519 can extend through a bone tunnel 571 in the femur 513 and can be coupled to the femur 513 via a fastener 573. In some embodiments, the fastener 573 can be seated against an outer rim 575 of the bone tunnel 571. For instance, the fastener 573 can be of a type disclosed in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/788,978, filed May 27, 2010, which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0292792 on Nov. 18, 2010, which is filed concurrently herewith, and which is entitled PROSTHETIC LIGAMENT SYSTEM FOR KNEE JOINT, which is filed concurrently herewith, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, it will be appreciated that the fastener 573 can be of any suitable type without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the surgeon can select the fastener 573 for implantation from a plurality of different fasteners 573, based on the desired location for attaching the ligament link 519, etc.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18, the ligament link 519 can attach to the femur 513 instead of a resected ligament, as was discussed above in the embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 17. The opposite end of the ligament link 519 can be coupled to the tibial tray 514 similar to the embodiments discussed above. Thus, the ligament link 519 can be received in one of the coupling components 517 of the tibial tray 514.

It will also be appreciated that the femoral component 512 and the tibial tray 514 can be implanted, and the ligament link 519 can be attached to the femur 513 and the tibial tray 514 in a single operative procedure. Accordingly, the knee joint can be repaired more quickly and efficiently, and the patient's recovery time can be reduced.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-21, additional features of the prosthesis assembly 610 will be discussed. Components corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 are indicated with corresponding reference numerals increased by 600.

As shown in FIG. 19, the ligament link coupling component 617 can be operably coupled to (e.g., fixed to) to the femoral component 612. For instance, the femoral component 612 can include a first wall 677a and a second wall 677b, each extending superiorly from a respective condyle portion 620, 622. Also, the coupling component 617 can be a rigid rod or bar that is fixed at each end to the condyle portions 620, 622. As such, the coupling component 617 can extend across the intercondylar opening 630. It will be appreciated that the ligament link coupling component 617 can be of any suitable type other than a rod or bar of the type illustrated. For instance, in other embodiments, the ligament link coupling component 617 can be a through hole defined in the first or second walls 677a, 677b, and in some embodiments, the through hole can be reinforced with a grommet-like feature. Also, in some embodiments, the coupling component 617 can be cantilevered within the intercondylar opening 630.

Moreover, the bearing 616 can be a uniform member that is disposed inferior to both condyle portions 620, 622. The bearing 616 can be fixed to the tibial tray 614 using a fastener (e.g., pin, etc.) or in any other suitable fashion. The bearing 616 can also be moveably supported on the tray 614 in some embodiments. Furthermore, the bearing 616 can include an opening 679 that is disposed inferior to the intercondylar opening 630. The opening 679 can be rounded (e.g., circular, elliptical, etc.), polygonor, or any other shape.

Still further, as shown in FIGS. 19-21, the tibial tray 614 can include at least one or more openings 681a, 681b. The openings 681a, 681b can be through holes. The tibial tray 614 can include any suitable number of openings 681a, 681b. For instance, in the embodiments shown, the tibial tray 614 can include two openings 681a, 681b disposed on opposite sides of a medial plane of the tibial tray and disposed on opposite sides of the stem 683. Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the openings 681a, 681b can each extend at a positive, acute angle θ relative to the medial plane P of the tibial tray 614. For instance, each opening 681a, 681b can extend inferiorly from the superior side 668 of the tibial tray 614 generally away from the medial plane P at the angle θ. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 20, the openings 681a, 681b can each extend at a positive, acute angle θ′ relative to a coronal plane P′ of the tibial tray 614.

When assembled (FIG. 20), a ligament link 619 can be operably coupled to (e.g., at least partially wrap around) the coupling component 619. Also, the ligament link 619 can extend through the opening 679 of the bearing 616. Likewise, the ligament link 619 can extend through one of the openings 681a, 681b of the tibial tray 614. Still further, the ligament link 619 can extend through a bone tunnel 685 formed within the tibia 615 and can operably couple to the tibia 615 via a fastener 673 of the type described above.

It will be appreciated that the surgeon or another medical professional can choose any one of the openings 681a, 681b for receiving the ligament link 619. For instance, in the embodiment shown, the ligament link 619 passes through the opening 681a. This decision can be based on various factors. For instance, in some embodiments, the opening 681a is utilized if the prosthesis assembly 610 is implanted in a left leg, and the opening 681b is utilized if the prosthesis assembly 610 is implanted in a right leg.

Also, it will be appreciated that the angles θ, θ′ of the opening 681a, 681b can allow the ligament link 619 to extend through the opening 681a, 681b in a relatively straight line. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the openings 681a, 681b can be positioned on the tibial tray 614 such that the ligament link 619 can be routed in a manner that substantially mimics a natural anatomical ligament. However, it will be appreciated that the openings 681a, 681b can have any suitable location on the tray 614 and can have any suitable shape without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, it will be appreciated that the ligament link 619 can attach to the tibia 615 in any suitable fashion other than the bone tunnel 685 and the fastener 673. For instance, in some embodiments, a resected anatomical ligament (not shown) can remain anatomically attached to the tibia 615, and the ligament link 619 can operably couple the resected anatomical ligament to the femoral component. More specifically, in some embodiments, the opening 681a, 681b can provide access to the resected anatomical ligament.

It will be appreciated that the ligament link 19, 319, 419, 519, 619 can include additional sutures, grafts, fasteners, and other components for attachment purposes. For instance, in some embodiments, the ligament link 19, 319, 419, 519 can be attached to the tibial tray 14, 314, 414, 514 via a suture. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ligament link 619 can be attached to the femoral component 612 via a suture. Also, in some embodiments, the ligament link 19, 319, 419, 519 can be attached to the femur or tibial tray 14, 314, 414, 514 via an autograft or other type of graft. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ligament link 619 can be attached to the tibia 615 or femoral component 612 via an autograft or other type of graft.

Thus, the knee prosthesis assembly 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 can be quickly and conveniently implanted. The ligament link 19, 319, 419, 519, 619 can be conveniently and securely attached to the tibial tray 14, 314, 414, 514 or femoral component 612 for supporting movement of the knee joint. Additionally, tension in the ligament link 19, 319, 419, 519, 619 can be quickly and conveniently adjusted.

As used herein, the terms superior, superiorly, superior direction are used to generally refer to the anatomical meaning, such as higher in place or position or generally situated above. Similarly, the terms inferior, inferiorly, inferior direction are used to generally refer to the anatomical meaning, such as lower in place or position or generally situated below.

Moreover, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. For instance, the sequence of the blocks of the method described herein can be changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A prosthetic knee joint assembly for a knee joint with a tibia and a femur, the prosthetic knee joint assembly comprising:

a unitary, single body femoral component that is adapted to engage the femur;
at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon;
a unitary, single body tibial tray that supports the at least one bearing and that is adapted to engage the tibia;
a ligament link coupling component included directly on one of the femoral component or the tibial tray; and
a ligament link operably coupled to the one of the femoral component or the tibial tray via the ligament link coupling component, the ligament link also extending through the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia, the ligament link extending from a first end to a second end, the ligament link having an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion, the ligament link also having a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the ligament link additionally having a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the first end extending through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop, the second end extending through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop.

2. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end also includes a first free end, wherein the second end also includes a second free end, the first free end pullable to reduce a size of the first adjustable loop, the second free end pullable to reduce a size of the second adjustable loop.

3. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second adjustable loops are adjustable to change a tension in the ligament link.

4. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is included on the tibial tray and includes a through hole that receives an adjustable loop of the ligament link.

5. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 4, wherein the ligament link coupling component has an axis that extends through a superior surface of the tibial tray and through an inferior surface of the tibial tray.

6. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is included on the tibial tray and includes a groove that nestingly receives a portion of the ligament link.

7. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 6, wherein the tibial tray includes an inferior, anterior edge, and wherein the groove is defined on the inferior, anterior edge.

8. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 6, wherein the groove has an axis that is adapted to be disposed at a positive, acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tibia.

9. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is disposed on an anterior portion of the tibial tray.

10. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is included on the tibial tray, the ligament link coupling component including an eyelet that selectively closes to secure the ligament link to the tibial tray and that selectively opens to allow the ligament link to move into the eyelet.

11. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the tibial tray includes a first ligament link coupling component and a second ligament link coupling component, the first and second ligament link coupling components spaced apart at a distance from each other.

12. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 11, wherein the tibial tray defines a median plane, and the first and second ligament link coupling components are disposed on opposite sides of the median plane.

13. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link includes a plurality of braided fibers.

14. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is included on the femoral component, the femoral component including a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion separated at a distance apart to define an intercondylar opening, the ligament link coupling component extending from at least one of the first and second condylar portions into the intercondylar opening.

15. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link coupling component is included on the femoral component, and wherein the tibial tray defines an opening through which the ligament link extends to couple to the tibia.

16. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 15, wherein the tibial tray defines a first opening and a second opening, the first and second openings disposed on opposite sides of a medial plane of the tibial tray.

17. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link is adapted to extend through the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple directly to the respective one of the femur or the tibia.

18. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the ligament link is adapted to extend through the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia via a resected anatomical ligament.

19. The prosthetic knee joint assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second adjustable loops of the ligament link are both coupled to the same one of the femoral component or the tibial tray.

20. A prosthetic knee joint assembly for a knee joint of a patient with a tibia and a femur, the prosthetic knee joint assembly comprising:

unitary, single body femoral component that is adapted to engage the femur, the femoral component including a medial and lateral condyle portion connected by a patellar track portion, an intercondylar opening defined between the medial and lateral condyle portions;
at least one bearing that supports articulation of at least one of the medial and lateral condyle portions thereon;
a unitary, single body tibial tray that supports the at least one bearing and that is adapted to engage the tibia, the tibial tray including a plurality of coupling components, the plurality of coupling components disposed on an anterior portion of the tibial tray, the plurality of coupling components disposed on opposite sides of a medial plane of the tibial tray; and
a ligament link operably coupled to the tibial tray via one of the coupling components, the ligament link also adapted to couple to the femur, the ligament link extending through the intercondylar opening, the ligament link extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer wall defining an interior longitudinal passage portion, the ligament link also including a first aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the ligament link also including a second aperture passing through the outer wall and disposed between the first and second ends, the first end extending through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a first adjustable loop and a first free end, the second end extending through the first and second apertures and the longitudinal passage portion to define a second adjustable loop and a second free end, the first and second free ends pullable to increase a tension in the ligament link.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
65499 June 1867 Miller
126366 April 1872 Wills
233475 October 1880 Cook et al.
261501 July 1882 Vandermark
268407 December 1882 Hughes
330087 November 1885 Binns
417805 December 1889 Beaman
487304 December 1892 Todd
762710 June 1901 Hall
837767 December 1906 Aims
838203 December 1906 Neil
1059631 April 1913 Popovics
1131155 March 1915 Murphy
1153450 September 1915 Schaff
1346940 July 1920 Collins
1635066 July 1927 Wells
1950799 March 1934 Jones
2065659 December 1936 Cullen
2108206 February 1938 Meeker
2121193 June 1938 Hanicke
2242003 May 1941 Lorenzo
2267925 December 1941 Johnston
2302986 November 1942 Vollrath
2329398 September 1943 Duffy
RE22857 March 1947 Ogburn
2526959 October 1950 Lorenzo
2528456 October 1950 Stevenson
2562419 July 1951 Ferris
2581564 January 1952 Villegas
2600395 June 1952 Domoj et al.
2610631 September 1952 Calicchio
2665597 January 1954 Hill
2669774 February 1954 Mitchell
2698986 January 1955 Brown
2760488 August 1956 Pierce
2833284 May 1958 Springer
2846712 August 1958 Markman
2860393 November 1958 Brock
2880728 April 1959 Rights
2881762 April 1959 Lowrie
2883096 April 1959 Dawson
2913042 November 1959 Taylor
3000009 September 1961 Selstad
3003155 October 1961 Mielzynski et al.
3013559 December 1961 Thomas
3037619 June 1962 Stevans
3039460 June 1962 Chandler
3090386 May 1963 Curtis
3103666 September 1963 Bone
3123077 March 1964 Alcamo
3125095 March 1964 Kaufman et al.
3209422 October 1965 Dritz
3234938 February 1966 Robinson
3240379 March 1966 Bremer et al.
3250271 May 1966 Lippes
3399432 September 1968 Merser
3409014 November 1968 Shannon
RE26501 December 1968 Kendrick et al.
3435475 April 1969 Bisk
3467089 September 1969 Hasson
3470834 October 1969 Bone
3470875 October 1969 Johnson
3500820 March 1970 Almen
3507274 April 1970 Soichet
3513484 May 1970 Hausner
3515132 June 1970 McKnight
3522803 August 1970 Majzlin
3527223 September 1970 Shein
3533406 October 1970 Hutterer et al.
3541591 November 1970 Hoegerman
3547389 December 1970 Mitchell
3579831 May 1971 Stevens et al.
3590616 July 1971 Schussler et al.
3608095 September 1971 Barry
3618447 November 1971 Goins
3628530 December 1971 Schwartz
3643649 February 1972 Amato
3648705 March 1972 Lary
3656483 April 1972 Rudel
3659597 May 1972 Wolfers
3664345 May 1972 Dabbs et al.
3665560 May 1972 Bennett et al.
3675639 July 1972 Cimber
3683422 August 1972 Stemmer et al.
3692022 September 1972 Ewing
3695271 October 1972 Chodorow
3699969 October 1972 Allen
3716058 February 1973 Tanner, Jr.
3744488 July 1973 Cox
3752516 August 1973 Mumma
3757629 September 1973 Schneider
3763856 October 1973 Blomberg
3771520 November 1973 Lerner
3777748 December 1973 Abramson
3807407 April 1974 Schweizer
3810456 May 1974 Karman
3825010 July 1974 McDonald
3840017 October 1974 Violante et al.
3842824 October 1974 Neufeld
3842840 October 1974 Schweizer
3845772 November 1974 Smith
3867933 February 1975 Kitrilakis
3867944 February 1975 Samuels
3871368 March 1975 Johnson et al.
3871379 March 1975 Clarke
3874388 April 1975 King et al.
3875648 April 1975 Bone
3877570 April 1975 Barry
3880156 April 1975 Hoff
3881475 May 1975 Gordon et al.
3889666 June 1975 Lerner
3892240 July 1975 Park
3896500 July 1975 Rambert et al.
3907442 September 1975 Reid
3910281 October 1975 Kletschka et al.
3918444 November 1975 Hoff et al.
3918455 November 1975 Coplan
3927666 December 1975 Hoff
3931667 January 13, 1976 Merser et al.
3933153 January 20, 1976 Csatary et al.
3937217 February 10, 1976 Kosonen et al.
3943932 March 16, 1976 Woo
3946446 March 30, 1976 Schofield
3946728 March 30, 1976 Bettex et al.
3946740 March 30, 1976 Bassett
3953896 May 4, 1976 Treace
3954103 May 4, 1976 Garcia-Roel et al.
3961632 June 8, 1976 Moossun
3973560 August 10, 1976 Emmett et al.
3976079 August 24, 1976 Samuels et al.
3977050 August 31, 1976 Perez et al.
3979799 September 14, 1976 Merser et al.
3985138 October 12, 1976 Jarvik
3990619 November 9, 1976 Russell
4005707 February 1, 1977 Moulding, Jr.
4006747 February 8, 1977 Kronenthal et al.
4007743 February 15, 1977 Blake
4013071 March 22, 1977 Rosenberg et al.
4026281 May 31, 1977 Mayberry et al.
4036101 July 19, 1977 Burnett
4050100 September 27, 1977 Barry
4054954 October 25, 1977 Nakayama et al.
4085466 April 25, 1978 Goodfellow et al.
4094313 June 13, 1978 Komamura et al.
4099750 July 11, 1978 McGrew
4103690 August 1, 1978 Harris
RE29819 October 31, 1978 Bone
4121487 October 24, 1978 Bone
4143656 March 13, 1979 Holmes et al.
4144876 March 20, 1979 DeLeo
4149277 April 17, 1979 Bokros
4157714 June 12, 1979 Foltz et al.
4160453 July 10, 1979 Miller
4164225 August 14, 1979 Johnson et al.
4172458 October 30, 1979 Pereyra
4175555 November 27, 1979 Herbert et al.
4185636 January 29, 1980 Gabbay et al.
4196883 April 8, 1980 Einhorn et al.
4210148 July 1, 1980 Stivala
4235161 November 25, 1980 Kunreuther
4235238 November 25, 1980 Ogiu et al.
4237779 December 9, 1980 Kunreuther
4243037 January 6, 1981 Smith
4249525 February 10, 1981 Krzeminski
4263913 April 28, 1981 Malmin
4265246 May 5, 1981 Barry
4273117 June 16, 1981 Neuhauser
4275717 June 30, 1981 Bolesky
4287807 September 8, 1981 Pacharis et al.
4291698 September 29, 1981 Fuchs et al.
4301551 November 24, 1981 Dore et al.
4307723 December 29, 1981 Finney
4312337 January 26, 1982 Donohue
4316469 February 23, 1982 Kapitanov
4326531 April 27, 1982 Shimonaka
4345601 August 24, 1982 Fukuda
4349027 September 14, 1982 DiFrancesco
4388921 June 21, 1983 Sutter et al.
4400833 August 30, 1983 Kurland
4402445 September 6, 1983 Green
4409974 October 18, 1983 Freedland
4438769 March 27, 1984 Pratt et al.
4441489 April 10, 1984 Evans et al.
4454875 June 19, 1984 Pratt et al.
4462395 July 31, 1984 Johnson
4463753 August 7, 1984 Gustilo
4473102 September 25, 1984 Ohman et al.
4484570 November 27, 1984 Sutter et al.
4489446 December 25, 1984 Reed
4493323 January 15, 1985 Albright et al.
4496468 January 29, 1985 House et al.
4505274 March 19, 1985 Speelman
4509516 April 9, 1985 Richmond
4531522 July 30, 1985 Bedi et al.
4532926 August 6, 1985 O'Holla
4534350 August 13, 1985 Golden et al.
4535764 August 20, 1985 Ebert
4537185 August 27, 1985 Stednitz
4549545 October 29, 1985 Levy
4549652 October 29, 1985 Free
4561432 December 31, 1985 Mazor
4564007 January 14, 1986 Coombs et al.
4570623 February 18, 1986 Ellison et al.
4573844 March 4, 1986 Smith
4576608 March 18, 1986 Homsy
4584722 April 29, 1986 Levy et al.
4590928 May 27, 1986 Hunt et al.
4595007 June 17, 1986 Mericle
4596249 June 24, 1986 Freda et al.
4602635 July 29, 1986 Mulhollan et al.
4602636 July 29, 1986 Noiles
4604997 August 12, 1986 De Bastiani et al.
4605414 August 12, 1986 Czajka
4616650 October 14, 1986 Green et al.
4621640 November 11, 1986 Mulhollan et al.
4624254 November 25, 1986 McGarry et al.
4632100 December 30, 1986 Somers et al.
4635637 January 13, 1987 Schreiber
4636121 January 13, 1987 Miller
4641652 February 10, 1987 Hutterer et al.
4649952 March 17, 1987 Jobe
4653486 March 31, 1987 Coker
4653487 March 31, 1987 Maale
4653489 March 31, 1987 Tronzo
4655777 April 7, 1987 Dunn et al.
4662068 May 5, 1987 Polonsky
4667662 May 26, 1987 Titone et al.
4667675 May 26, 1987 Davis
4669473 June 2, 1987 Richards et al.
4683895 August 4, 1987 Pohndorf
4688561 August 25, 1987 Reese
4690169 September 1, 1987 Jobe
4696300 September 29, 1987 Anderson
4705040 November 10, 1987 Mueller et al.
4708132 November 24, 1987 Silvestrini
4714475 December 22, 1987 Grundei et al.
4716893 January 5, 1988 Fischer et al.
4719671 January 19, 1988 Ito et al.
4719917 January 19, 1988 Barrows et al.
4723540 February 9, 1988 Gilmer, Jr.
4724839 February 16, 1988 Bedi et al.
4728332 March 1, 1988 Albrektsson
4738255 April 19, 1988 Goble et al.
4741330 May 3, 1988 Hayhurst
4741336 May 3, 1988 Failla et al.
4744353 May 17, 1988 McFarland
4744793 May 17, 1988 Parr et al.
4750492 June 14, 1988 Jacobs
4760843 August 2, 1988 Fischer et al.
4760844 August 2, 1988 Kyle
4760848 August 2, 1988 Hasson
4770663 September 13, 1988 Hanslik et al.
4772261 September 20, 1988 Von Hoff et al.
4772286 September 20, 1988 Goble et al.
4773910 September 27, 1988 Chen et al.
4775380 October 4, 1988 Seedhom et al.
4776328 October 11, 1988 Frey et al.
4781190 November 1, 1988 Lee
4784126 November 15, 1988 Hourahane
4787882 November 29, 1988 Claren
4790297 December 13, 1988 Luque
4793363 December 27, 1988 Ausherman et al.
4809695 March 7, 1989 Gwathmey et al.
4813406 March 21, 1989 Ogle, II
4823794 April 25, 1989 Pierce
4828562 May 9, 1989 Kenna
4832026 May 23, 1989 Jones
4834098 May 30, 1989 Jones
4838282 June 13, 1989 Strasser et al.
4841960 June 27, 1989 Garner
4851005 July 25, 1989 Hunt et al.
4858608 August 22, 1989 McQuilkin
4860513 August 29, 1989 Whitman
4863383 September 5, 1989 Grafelmann
4870957 October 3, 1989 Goble et al.
4873976 October 17, 1989 Schreiber
4887601 December 19, 1989 Richards
4890615 January 2, 1990 Caspari et al.
4893619 January 16, 1990 Dale et al.
4893974 January 16, 1990 Fischer et al.
4895148 January 23, 1990 Bays et al.
4896668 January 30, 1990 Popoff et al.
4898156 February 6, 1990 Gatturna et al.
4899743 February 13, 1990 Nicholson et al.
4901721 February 20, 1990 Hakki
4923461 May 8, 1990 Caspari et al.
4927421 May 22, 1990 Goble et al.
4946377 August 7, 1990 Kovach
4946468 August 7, 1990 Li
4950270 August 21, 1990 Bowman et al.
4950285 August 21, 1990 Wilk
4960381 October 2, 1990 Niznick
4961741 October 9, 1990 Hayhurst
4968315 November 6, 1990 Gatturna
4968317 November 6, 1990 Tormala et al.
4969886 November 13, 1990 Cziffer et al.
4974488 December 4, 1990 Spralja
4976736 December 11, 1990 White et al.
4978350 December 18, 1990 Wagenknecht
4979956 December 25, 1990 Silvestrini
4983176 January 8, 1991 Cushman et al.
4988351 January 29, 1991 Paulos et al.
4994074 February 19, 1991 Bezwada et al.
4997433 March 5, 1991 Goble et al.
5002550 March 26, 1991 Li
5002562 March 26, 1991 Oberlander
5007921 April 16, 1991 Brown
5030224 July 9, 1991 Wright et al.
5030235 July 9, 1991 Campbell, Jr.
5037422 August 6, 1991 Hayhurst et al.
5041129 August 20, 1991 Hayhurst et al.
5046513 September 10, 1991 Gatturna et al.
5047030 September 10, 1991 Draenert
5053046 October 1, 1991 Janese
5053047 October 1, 1991 Yoon
5059201 October 22, 1991 Asnis
5059206 October 22, 1991 Winters
5061277 October 29, 1991 Carpentier et al.
5062344 November 5, 1991 Gerker
5062843 November 5, 1991 Mahony, III
5064431 November 12, 1991 Gilbertson et al.
5074874 December 24, 1991 Yoon et al.
5078731 January 7, 1992 Hayhurst
5078843 January 7, 1992 Pratt
5084050 January 28, 1992 Draenert
5084058 January 28, 1992 Li
5085661 February 4, 1992 Moss
5087263 February 11, 1992 Li
5087309 February 11, 1992 Melton, Jr.
5089012 February 18, 1992 Prou
5092866 March 3, 1992 Breard et al.
5098435 March 24, 1992 Stednitz et al.
5100415 March 31, 1992 Hayhurst
5100417 March 31, 1992 Cerier et al.
5116337 May 26, 1992 Johnson
5116373 May 26, 1992 Jakob et al.
5116375 May 26, 1992 Hofmann
5123913 June 23, 1992 Wilk et al.
5123914 June 23, 1992 Cope
5127785 July 7, 1992 Faucher et al.
5129901 July 14, 1992 Decoste
5129902 July 14, 1992 Goble et al.
5129904 July 14, 1992 Illi et al.
5129906 July 14, 1992 Ross et al.
5139498 August 18, 1992 Astudillo Ley
5139499 August 18, 1992 Small et al.
5139520 August 18, 1992 Rosenberg
5143498 September 1, 1992 Whitman
5147362 September 15, 1992 Goble
5149329 September 22, 1992 Richardson
5152790 October 6, 1992 Rosenberg et al.
5154189 October 13, 1992 Oberlander
5156616 October 20, 1992 Meadows et al.
5163960 November 17, 1992 Bonutti
D331626 December 8, 1992 Hayhurst et al.
5169400 December 8, 1992 Muhling et al.
5176682 January 5, 1993 Chow
5178629 January 12, 1993 Kammerer
5183458 February 2, 1993 Marx
5192282 March 9, 1993 Draenert
5197987 March 30, 1993 Koch et al.
5203784 April 20, 1993 Ross et al.
5203787 April 20, 1993 Noblitt et al.
5207679 May 4, 1993 Li
5209753 May 11, 1993 Biedermann et al.
5209805 May 11, 1993 Spraggins
5211647 May 18, 1993 Schmieding
5211650 May 18, 1993 Noda
5214987 June 1, 1993 Fenton, Sr.
5219359 June 15, 1993 McQuilkin et al.
5222976 June 29, 1993 Yoon
5224946 July 6, 1993 Hayhurst et al.
5230699 July 27, 1993 Grasinger
5232436 August 3, 1993 Janevski
5234435 August 10, 1993 Seagrave, Jr.
5235238 August 10, 1993 Nomura et al.
5236445 August 17, 1993 Hayhurst et al.
5236461 August 17, 1993 Forte
5242447 September 7, 1993 Borzone
5246441 September 21, 1993 Ross et al.
5249899 October 5, 1993 Wilson
5250053 October 5, 1993 Snyder
5258015 November 2, 1993 Li et al.
5258016 November 2, 1993 DiPoto et al.
5258040 November 2, 1993 Bruchman et al.
5261908 November 16, 1993 Campbell, Jr.
5268001 December 7, 1993 Nicholson et al.
5269160 December 14, 1993 Wood
5269783 December 14, 1993 Sander
5269806 December 14, 1993 Sardelis et al.
5269809 December 14, 1993 Hayhurst et al.
5279311 January 18, 1994 Snyder
5281422 January 25, 1994 Badylak et al.
5282809 February 1, 1994 Kammerer et al.
5282832 February 1, 1994 Toso et al.
5282867 February 1, 1994 Mikhail
5285040 February 8, 1994 Brandberg et al.
5290217 March 1, 1994 Campos
5306301 April 26, 1994 Graf et al.
5312422 May 17, 1994 Trott
5312438 May 17, 1994 Johnson
5318566 June 7, 1994 Miller
5318575 June 7, 1994 Chesterfield et al.
5318577 June 7, 1994 Li
5318578 June 7, 1994 Hasson
5320115 June 14, 1994 Kenna
5320626 June 14, 1994 Schmieding
5320633 June 14, 1994 Allen et al.
5324308 June 28, 1994 Pierce
5330489 July 19, 1994 Green et al.
5333625 August 2, 1994 Klein
5334204 August 2, 1994 Clewett et al.
5336229 August 9, 1994 Noda
5336231 August 9, 1994 Adair
5336240 August 9, 1994 Metzler et al.
5339870 August 23, 1994 Green et al.
5342369 August 30, 1994 Harryman, II
5346462 September 13, 1994 Barber
5354298 October 11, 1994 Lee et al.
5356412 October 18, 1994 Golds et al.
5356413 October 18, 1994 Martins et al.
5356417 October 18, 1994 Golds
5358511 October 25, 1994 Gatturna et al.
5360431 November 1, 1994 Puno et al.
5362294 November 8, 1994 Seitzinger
5364400 November 15, 1994 Rego, Jr. et al.
5366461 November 22, 1994 Blasnik
5368599 November 29, 1994 Hirsch et al.
5370661 December 6, 1994 Branch
5370662 December 6, 1994 Stone et al.
5372146 December 13, 1994 Branch
5372604 December 13, 1994 Trott
5372821 December 13, 1994 Badylak et al.
5374268 December 20, 1994 Sander
5379492 January 10, 1995 Glesser
5383878 January 24, 1995 Roger et al.
5383904 January 24, 1995 Totakura et al.
5391171 February 21, 1995 Schmieding
5391176 February 21, 1995 de la Torre
5391182 February 21, 1995 Chin
5393302 February 28, 1995 Clark et al.
RE34871 March 7, 1995 McGuire et al.
5397356 March 14, 1995 Goble et al.
5403328 April 4, 1995 Shallman
5403329 April 4, 1995 Hinchcliffe
5403348 April 4, 1995 Bonutti
5405359 April 11, 1995 Pierce
5417691 May 23, 1995 Hayhurst
5417698 May 23, 1995 Green et al.
5417712 May 23, 1995 Whittaker et al.
5423819 June 13, 1995 Small et al.
5423821 June 13, 1995 Pasque
5423823 June 13, 1995 Schmieding
5423860 June 13, 1995 Lizardi et al.
5425733 June 20, 1995 Schmieding
5425766 June 20, 1995 Bowald
5433751 July 18, 1995 Christel et al.
5437680 August 1, 1995 Yoon
5437685 August 1, 1995 Blasnik
5439684 August 8, 1995 Prewett et al.
5441508 August 15, 1995 Gazielly et al.
5443468 August 22, 1995 Johnson
5443482 August 22, 1995 Stone et al.
5443483 August 22, 1995 Kirsch
5443509 August 22, 1995 Boucher et al.
5445833 August 29, 1995 Badylak et al.
5447512 September 5, 1995 Wilson et al.
5449361 September 12, 1995 Preissman
5451203 September 19, 1995 Lamb
5454811 October 3, 1995 Huebner
5454821 October 3, 1995 Harm et al.
5456685 October 10, 1995 Huebner
5456722 October 10, 1995 McLeod et al.
5458601 October 17, 1995 Young, Jr. et al.
5458604 October 17, 1995 Schmieding
5462542 October 31, 1995 Alesi, Jr.
5462560 October 31, 1995 Stevens
5464426 November 7, 1995 Bonutti
5464427 November 7, 1995 Curtis et al.
5464440 November 7, 1995 Johansson
5466237 November 14, 1995 Byrd, III et al.
5467786 November 21, 1995 Allen et al.
5470334 November 28, 1995 Ross et al.
5470337 November 28, 1995 Moss
5470338 November 28, 1995 Whitfield et al.
5472452 December 5, 1995 Trott
5474565 December 12, 1995 Trott
5474568 December 12, 1995 Scott
5474572 December 12, 1995 Hayhurst
5478344 December 26, 1995 Stone et al.
5478345 December 26, 1995 Stone et al.
5480403 January 2, 1996 Lee et al.
5480406 January 2, 1996 Nolan et al.
5484442 January 16, 1996 Melker et al.
5486197 January 23, 1996 Le et al.
5490750 February 13, 1996 Gundy
5496331 March 5, 1996 Xu et al.
5496348 March 5, 1996 Bonutti
5500000 March 19, 1996 Feagin et al.
5505736 April 9, 1996 Reimels et al.
5507754 April 16, 1996 Green et al.
5520691 May 28, 1996 Branch
5520700 May 28, 1996 Beyar et al.
5520702 May 28, 1996 Sauer et al.
5522817 June 4, 1996 Sander et al.
5522820 June 4, 1996 Caspari et al.
5522844 June 4, 1996 Johnson
5522845 June 4, 1996 Wenstrom, Jr.
5522846 June 4, 1996 Bonutti
5524946 June 11, 1996 Thompson
5527321 June 18, 1996 Hinchliffe
5527342 June 18, 1996 Pietrzak et al.
5527343 June 18, 1996 Bonutti
5531759 July 2, 1996 Kensey et al.
5534012 July 9, 1996 Bonutti
5536270 July 16, 1996 Songer et al.
5540698 July 30, 1996 Preissman
5540703 July 30, 1996 Barker, Jr. et al.
5540718 July 30, 1996 Bartlett
5545168 August 13, 1996 Burke
5545178 August 13, 1996 Kensey et al.
5545180 August 13, 1996 Le et al.
5545228 August 13, 1996 Kambin
5549613 August 27, 1996 Goble et al.
5549617 August 27, 1996 Green et al.
5549619 August 27, 1996 Peters et al.
5549630 August 27, 1996 Bonutti
5549631 August 27, 1996 Bonutti
5562683 October 8, 1996 Chan
5562685 October 8, 1996 Mollenauer et al.
5562686 October 8, 1996 Sauer et al.
5569269 October 29, 1996 Hart et al.
5569305 October 29, 1996 Bonutti
5571090 November 5, 1996 Sherts
5571139 November 5, 1996 Jenkins, Jr.
5572655 November 5, 1996 Tuljapurkar et al.
5573286 November 12, 1996 Rogozinski
5573542 November 12, 1996 Stevens
5573548 November 12, 1996 Nazre et al.
5577299 November 26, 1996 Thompson et al.
5578057 November 26, 1996 Wenstrom, Jr.
5584695 December 17, 1996 Lal Sachdeva et al.
5584835 December 17, 1996 Greenfield
5584836 December 17, 1996 Ballintyn et al.
5584862 December 17, 1996 Bonutti
5586986 December 24, 1996 Hinchliffe
5588575 December 31, 1996 Davignon
5591180 January 7, 1997 Hinchliffe
5591181 January 7, 1997 Stone et al.
5591207 January 7, 1997 Coleman
5593407 January 14, 1997 Reis
5593425 January 14, 1997 Bonutti et al.
5601557 February 11, 1997 Hayhurst
5601559 February 11, 1997 Melker et al.
5601571 February 11, 1997 Moss
5603716 February 18, 1997 Morgan et al.
5607429 March 4, 1997 Hayano et al.
5618290 April 8, 1997 Toy et al.
5626611 May 6, 1997 Liu et al.
5626614 May 6, 1997 Hart
5628756 May 13, 1997 Barker, Jr. et al.
5628766 May 13, 1997 Johnson
5630824 May 20, 1997 Hart
5632748 May 27, 1997 Beck, Jr. et al.
5641256 June 24, 1997 Gundy
5643266 July 1, 1997 Li
5643269 July 1, 1997 Harle
5643295 July 1, 1997 Yoon
5643319 July 1, 1997 Green et al.
5643320 July 1, 1997 Lower et al.
5643321 July 1, 1997 McDevitt
5645546 July 8, 1997 Fard
5645547 July 8, 1997 Coleman
5645568 July 8, 1997 Chervitz et al.
5645588 July 8, 1997 Graf et al.
5647874 July 15, 1997 Hayhurst
5649959 July 22, 1997 Hannam et al.
5649963 July 22, 1997 McDevitt
5658289 August 19, 1997 Boucher et al.
5658299 August 19, 1997 Hart
5658313 August 19, 1997 Thal
5662658 September 2, 1997 Wenstrom, Jr.
5662663 September 2, 1997 Shallman
5662681 September 2, 1997 Nash et al.
5665112 September 9, 1997 Thal
5667513 September 16, 1997 Torrie et al.
5671695 September 30, 1997 Schroeder
5674224 October 7, 1997 Howell et al.
5679723 October 21, 1997 Cooper et al.
5681334 October 28, 1997 Evans et al.
5681352 October 28, 1997 Clancy, III et al.
5683419 November 4, 1997 Thal
5688285 November 18, 1997 Yamada et al.
5690676 November 25, 1997 DiPoto et al.
5690678 November 25, 1997 Johnson
5693046 December 2, 1997 Songer et al.
5695497 December 9, 1997 Stahelin et al.
5697929 December 16, 1997 Mellinger
5699657 December 23, 1997 Paulson
5702397 December 30, 1997 Goble et al.
5702422 December 30, 1997 Stone
5702462 December 30, 1997 Oberlander
5707373 January 13, 1998 Sevrain et al.
5711969 January 27, 1998 Patel et al.
5713005 January 27, 1998 Proebsting
5713904 February 3, 1998 Errico et al.
5713905 February 3, 1998 Goble et al.
5713921 February 3, 1998 Bonutti
5716359 February 10, 1998 Ojima et al.
5716397 February 10, 1998 Myers
5718717 February 17, 1998 Bonutti
5720747 February 24, 1998 Burke
5720765 February 24, 1998 Thal
5720766 February 24, 1998 Zang et al.
5722976 March 3, 1998 Brown
5725529 March 10, 1998 Nicholson et al.
5725549 March 10, 1998 Lam
5725556 March 10, 1998 Moser et al.
5725581 March 10, 1998 Br.ang.nemark
5725582 March 10, 1998 Bevan et al.
5726722 March 10, 1998 Uehara et al.
5728107 March 17, 1998 Zlock et al.
5728109 March 17, 1998 Schulze et al.
5728136 March 17, 1998 Thal
5733293 March 31, 1998 Scirica et al.
5733306 March 31, 1998 Bonutti
5733307 March 31, 1998 Dinsdale
5735875 April 7, 1998 Bonutti et al.
5741259 April 21, 1998 Chan
5741260 April 21, 1998 Songer et al.
5741281 April 21, 1998 Martin
5743912 April 28, 1998 Lahille et al.
5746751 May 5, 1998 Sherts
5746752 May 5, 1998 Burkhart
5746754 May 5, 1998 Chan
5749898 May 12, 1998 Schulze et al.
5755729 May 26, 1998 de la Torre et al.
5755791 May 26, 1998 Whitson et al.
5766176 June 16, 1998 Duncan
5766218 June 16, 1998 Arnott
5766250 June 16, 1998 Chervitz et al.
5769894 June 23, 1998 Ferragamo
5769899 June 23, 1998 Schwartz et al.
5772673 June 30, 1998 Cuny et al.
5776196 July 7, 1998 Matsuzaki et al.
5782845 July 21, 1998 Shewchuk
5782862 July 21, 1998 Bonutti
5782864 July 21, 1998 Lizardi
5782866 July 21, 1998 Wenstrom, Jr.
5785714 July 28, 1998 Morgan et al.
5792142 August 11, 1998 Galitzer
5792149 August 11, 1998 Sherts et al.
5796127 August 18, 1998 Hayafuji et al.
5797915 August 25, 1998 Pierson, III et al.
5797916 August 25, 1998 McDowell
5797928 August 25, 1998 Kogasaka
5800407 September 1, 1998 Eldor
5810824 September 22, 1998 Chan
5810848 September 22, 1998 Hayhurst
5814056 September 29, 1998 Prosst et al.
5814069 September 29, 1998 Schulze et al.
5814070 September 29, 1998 Borzone et al.
5814072 September 29, 1998 Bonutti
5814073 September 29, 1998 Bonutti
5823980 October 20, 1998 Kopfer
5824011 October 20, 1998 Stone et al.
5824066 October 20, 1998 Gross
5830234 November 3, 1998 Wojciechowicz et al.
5843084 December 1, 1998 Hart et al.
5845645 December 8, 1998 Bonutti
5846254 December 8, 1998 Schulze et al.
5848983 December 15, 1998 Basaj et al.
5849012 December 15, 1998 Abboudi
5860973 January 19, 1999 Michelson
5860978 January 19, 1999 McDevitt et al.
5868740 February 9, 1999 LeVeen et al.
5868748 February 9, 1999 Burke
5868789 February 9, 1999 Huebner
5871484 February 16, 1999 Spievack et al.
5871486 February 16, 1999 Huebner et al.
5871490 February 16, 1999 Schulze et al.
5885294 March 23, 1999 Pedlick et al.
5891168 April 6, 1999 Thal
5893592 April 13, 1999 Schulze et al.
5895395 April 20, 1999 Yeung
5897564 April 27, 1999 Schulze et al.
5897574 April 27, 1999 Bonutti
5899902 May 4, 1999 Brown et al.
5899938 May 4, 1999 Sklar et al.
5908421 June 1, 1999 Beger
5908436 June 1, 1999 Cuschieri et al.
5910148 June 8, 1999 Reimels et al.
5911721 June 15, 1999 Nicholson et al.
5918604 July 6, 1999 Whelan
5921986 July 13, 1999 Bonutti
5925008 July 20, 1999 Douglas
5928231 July 27, 1999 Klein et al.
5928267 July 27, 1999 Bonutti et al.
RE36289 August 31, 1999 Le et al.
5931838 August 3, 1999 Vito
5931844 August 3, 1999 Thompson et al.
5931869 August 3, 1999 Boucher et al.
5935119 August 10, 1999 Guy et al.
5935133 August 10, 1999 Wagner et al.
5935149 August 10, 1999 Ek
5938668 August 17, 1999 Scirica et al.
5941439 August 24, 1999 Kammerer et al.
5941900 August 24, 1999 Bonutti
5944739 August 31, 1999 Zlock et al.
5946783 September 7, 1999 Plociennik et al.
5947915 September 7, 1999 Thibodo, Jr.
5947982 September 7, 1999 Duran
5947999 September 7, 1999 Groiso
5948002 September 7, 1999 Bonutti
5951559 September 14, 1999 Burkhart
5951560 September 14, 1999 Simon et al.
5954747 September 21, 1999 Clark
5957953 September 28, 1999 DiPoto et al.
5961521 October 5, 1999 Roger
5961524 October 5, 1999 Crombie
5964764 October 12, 1999 West, Jr. et al.
5964767 October 12, 1999 Tapia et al.
5964769 October 12, 1999 Wagner et al.
5964783 October 12, 1999 Grafton et al.
5968045 October 19, 1999 Frazier
5968047 October 19, 1999 Reed
5968077 October 19, 1999 Wojciechowicz et al.
5970697 October 26, 1999 Jacobs et al.
5972006 October 26, 1999 Sciaino, Jr.
5976125 November 2, 1999 Graham
5976127 November 2, 1999 Lax
5980524 November 9, 1999 Justin et al.
5980539 November 9, 1999 Kontos
5980558 November 9, 1999 Wiley
5980559 November 9, 1999 Bonutti
5989252 November 23, 1999 Fumex
5989256 November 23, 1999 Kuslich et al.
5989282 November 23, 1999 Bonutti
5993452 November 30, 1999 Vandewalle
5993476 November 30, 1999 Groiso
5997542 December 7, 1999 Burke
5997552 December 7, 1999 Person et al.
5997575 December 7, 1999 Whitson et al.
6001100 December 14, 1999 Sherman et al.
6007538 December 28, 1999 Levin
6007567 December 28, 1999 Bonutti
6010525 January 4, 2000 Bonutti et al.
6016727 January 25, 2000 Morgan
6022352 February 8, 2000 Vandewalle
6022373 February 8, 2000 Li
6024758 February 15, 2000 Thal
6027523 February 22, 2000 Schmieding
6030410 February 29, 2000 Zurbrugg
6033429 March 7, 2000 Magovern
6033430 March 7, 2000 Bonutti
6039753 March 21, 2000 Meislin
6041485 March 28, 2000 Pedlick et al.
6042601 March 28, 2000 Smith
6045551 April 4, 2000 Bonutti
6045571 April 4, 2000 Hill et al.
6045572 April 4, 2000 Johnson et al.
6045573 April 4, 2000 Wenstrom, Jr. et al.
6045574 April 4, 2000 Thal
6047826 April 11, 2000 Kalinski et al.
6048343 April 11, 2000 Mathis et al.
6051006 April 18, 2000 Shluzas et al.
6051007 April 18, 2000 Hogendijk et al.
6053916 April 25, 2000 Moore
6053921 April 25, 2000 Wagner et al.
6056752 May 2, 2000 Roger
6056772 May 2, 2000 Bonutti
6056773 May 2, 2000 Bonutti
6059817 May 9, 2000 Bonutti et al.
6059818 May 9, 2000 Johnson et al.
6062344 May 16, 2000 Okabe et al.
6068648 May 30, 2000 Cole et al.
6071305 June 6, 2000 Brown et al.
6074403 June 13, 2000 Nord
6077277 June 20, 2000 Mollenauer et al.
6077292 June 20, 2000 Bonutti
6080185 June 27, 2000 Johnson et al.
6086591 July 11, 2000 Bojarski
6086592 July 11, 2000 Rosenberg et al.
6086608 July 11, 2000 Ek et al.
6093200 July 25, 2000 Liu et al.
6096060 August 1, 2000 Fitts et al.
6099527 August 8, 2000 Hochschuler et al.
6099530 August 8, 2000 Simonian et al.
6099568 August 8, 2000 Simonian et al.
6106545 August 22, 2000 Egan
6110128 August 29, 2000 Andelin et al.
6117160 September 12, 2000 Bonutti
6117162 September 12, 2000 Schmieding et al.
6123710 September 26, 2000 Pinczewski et al.
6132433 October 17, 2000 Whelan
6132437 October 17, 2000 Omurtag et al.
6139565 October 31, 2000 Stone et al.
RE36974 November 28, 2000 Bonutti
6143017 November 7, 2000 Thal
6146406 November 14, 2000 Shluzas et al.
6146408 November 14, 2000 Bartlett
6149653 November 21, 2000 Deslauriers
6149669 November 21, 2000 Li
6152928 November 28, 2000 Wenstrom, Jr.
6152934 November 28, 2000 Harper et al.
6152936 November 28, 2000 Christy et al.
6152949 November 28, 2000 Bonutti
6156039 December 5, 2000 Thal
6156056 December 5, 2000 Kearns et al.
6159234 December 12, 2000 Bonutti et al.
6165203 December 26, 2000 Krebs
6168598 January 2, 2001 Martello
6168628 January 2, 2001 Huebner
6179840 January 30, 2001 Bowman
6183461 February 6, 2001 Matsuura et al.
6187025 February 13, 2001 Machek
6190401 February 20, 2001 Green et al.
6190411 February 20, 2001 Lo
6193754 February 27, 2001 Seedhom
6200318 March 13, 2001 Har-Shai et al.
6200329 March 13, 2001 Fung et al.
6200330 March 13, 2001 Benderev et al.
6203556 March 20, 2001 Evans et al.
6203565 March 20, 2001 Bonutti et al.
6203572 March 20, 2001 Johnson et al.
6206883 March 27, 2001 Tunc
6210376 April 3, 2001 Grayson
6214012 April 10, 2001 Karpman et al.
6217580 April 17, 2001 Levin
6221107 April 24, 2001 Steiner et al.
6228096 May 8, 2001 Marchand
6231592 May 15, 2001 Bonutti et al.
6235057 May 22, 2001 Roger et al.
6238395 May 29, 2001 Bonutti
6241734 June 5, 2001 Scribner et al.
6241747 June 5, 2001 Ruff
6241771 June 5, 2001 Gresser et al.
6245081 June 12, 2001 Bowman et al.
6258091 July 10, 2001 Sevrain et al.
6267766 July 31, 2001 Burkhart
6269716 August 7, 2001 Amis
6270518 August 7, 2001 Pedlick et al.
6273890 August 14, 2001 Frazier
6280474 August 28, 2001 Cassidy et al.
6283973 September 4, 2001 Hubbard et al.
6283996 September 4, 2001 Chervitz et al.
6287307 September 11, 2001 Abboudi
6287325 September 11, 2001 Bonutti
6293961 September 25, 2001 Schwartz et al.
6296659 October 2, 2001 Foerster
6299615 October 9, 2001 Huebner
6302888 October 16, 2001 Mellinger et al.
6302899 October 16, 2001 Johnson et al.
6306156 October 23, 2001 Clark
6306159 October 23, 2001 Schwartz et al.
6309405 October 30, 2001 Bonutti
6312448 November 6, 2001 Bonutti
6315788 November 13, 2001 Roby
6319271 November 20, 2001 Schwartz et al.
6328758 December 11, 2001 Tornier et al.
6342060 January 29, 2002 Adams
6343531 February 5, 2002 Amis
6358270 March 19, 2002 Lemer
6364897 April 2, 2002 Bonutti
6368322 April 9, 2002 Luks et al.
6368326 April 9, 2002 Dakin et al.
6368343 April 9, 2002 Bonutti et al.
6371124 April 16, 2002 Whelan
6379361 April 30, 2002 Beck, Jr. et al.
6383190 May 7, 2002 Preissman
6383199 May 7, 2002 Carter et al.
6387113 May 14, 2002 Hawkins et al.
6387129 May 14, 2002 Rieser et al.
6391030 May 21, 2002 Wagner et al.
6398785 June 4, 2002 Carchidi et al.
6406479 June 18, 2002 Justin et al.
6409743 June 25, 2002 Fenton, Jr.
6413260 July 2, 2002 Berrevoets et al.
6423088 July 23, 2002 Fenton, Jr.
6428562 August 6, 2002 Bonutti
6432123 August 13, 2002 Schwartz et al.
6436123 August 20, 2002 Magovern
6436124 August 20, 2002 Anderson et al.
6440134 August 27, 2002 Zaccherotti et al.
6440136 August 27, 2002 Gambale et al.
6447516 September 10, 2002 Bonutti
6451030 September 17, 2002 Li et al.
6454768 September 24, 2002 Jackson
6458134 October 1, 2002 Songer et al.
6461373 October 8, 2002 Wyman et al.
6464713 October 15, 2002 Bonutti
6468293 October 22, 2002 Bonutti et al.
6471707 October 29, 2002 Miller et al.
6475230 November 5, 2002 Bonutti et al.
6482210 November 19, 2002 Skiba et al.
6485504 November 26, 2002 Johnson et al.
6491714 December 10, 2002 Bennett
6497901 December 24, 2002 Royer
6500184 December 31, 2002 Chan et al.
6500195 December 31, 2002 Bonutti
RE37963 January 7, 2003 Thal
6503267 January 7, 2003 Bonutti et al.
6506190 January 14, 2003 Walshe
6508820 January 21, 2003 Bales
6508821 January 21, 2003 Schwartz et al.
6508830 January 21, 2003 Steiner
6511498 January 28, 2003 Fumex
6511499 January 28, 2003 Schmieding et al.
6517542 February 11, 2003 Papay et al.
6517552 February 11, 2003 Nord et al.
6517578 February 11, 2003 Hein
6517579 February 11, 2003 Paulos et al.
6520964 February 18, 2003 Tallarida et al.
6520980 February 18, 2003 Foerster
6524317 February 25, 2003 Ritchart et al.
6527777 March 4, 2003 Justin
6527794 March 4, 2003 McDevitt et al.
6527795 March 4, 2003 Lizardi
6533795 March 18, 2003 Tran et al.
6533802 March 18, 2003 Bojarski et al.
6537319 March 25, 2003 Whelan
6540750 April 1, 2003 Burkhart
6540769 April 1, 2003 Miller, III
6540770 April 1, 2003 Tornier et al.
6544281 April 8, 2003 ElAttrache et al.
6547564 April 15, 2003 Hansson
6547778 April 15, 2003 Sklar et al.
6547800 April 15, 2003 Foerster et al.
6551330 April 22, 2003 Bain et al.
6551343 April 22, 2003 Tormala et al.
6553802 April 29, 2003 Jacob
6554830 April 29, 2003 Chappius
6554852 April 29, 2003 Oberlander
6554862 April 29, 2003 Hays et al.
6562071 May 13, 2003 Jarvinen et al.
6565572 May 20, 2003 Chappius
6565573 May 20, 2003 Ferrante et al.
6569186 May 27, 2003 Winters et al.
6569187 May 27, 2003 Bonutti et al.
6572635 June 3, 2003 Bonutti
6575925 June 10, 2003 Noble
6579295 June 17, 2003 Supinski
6582453 June 24, 2003 Tran et al.
6585730 July 1, 2003 Foerster
6585740 July 1, 2003 Schlapfer et al.
6585750 July 1, 2003 Bonutti et al.
6589245 July 8, 2003 Weiler et al.
6589246 July 8, 2003 Hack et al.
6592609 July 15, 2003 Bonutti
6595911 July 22, 2003 LoVuolo
6599289 July 29, 2003 Bojarski et al.
6599319 July 29, 2003 Knudsen et al.
6605096 August 12, 2003 Ritchart
6607548 August 19, 2003 Pohjonen et al.
6610079 August 26, 2003 Li et al.
6613018 September 2, 2003 Bagga et al.
6616694 September 9, 2003 Hart
6620166 September 16, 2003 Wenstrom, Jr. et al.
6620185 September 16, 2003 Harvie et al.
6620195 September 16, 2003 Goble et al.
6620329 September 16, 2003 Rosen et al.
6620349 September 16, 2003 Lopez
6623492 September 23, 2003 Berube et al.
6623524 September 23, 2003 Schmieding
6626910 September 30, 2003 Hugues
6626919 September 30, 2003 Swanstrom
6629977 October 7, 2003 Wolf
6635073 October 21, 2003 Bonutti
6638279 October 28, 2003 Bonutti
6638312 October 28, 2003 Plouhar et al.
6641596 November 4, 2003 Lizardi
6641597 November 4, 2003 Dreyfuss et al.
6645227 November 11, 2003 Fallin et al.
6648921 November 18, 2003 Anderson et al.
6652450 November 25, 2003 Neisz et al.
6652562 November 25, 2003 Collier et al.
6652563 November 25, 2003 Dreyfuss
6656182 December 2, 2003 Hayhurst
6656183 December 2, 2003 Colleran et al.
6658182 December 2, 2003 Gonthier
6660008 December 9, 2003 Foerster et al.
6660022 December 9, 2003 Li et al.
6663634 December 16, 2003 Ahrens et al.
6663656 December 16, 2003 Schmieding et al.
6666868 December 23, 2003 Fallin
6666877 December 23, 2003 Morgan et al.
6682533 January 27, 2004 Dinsdale et al.
6682549 January 27, 2004 Bartlett
6685728 February 3, 2004 Sinnott et al.
6689137 February 10, 2004 Reed
6689153 February 10, 2004 Skiba
6689154 February 10, 2004 Bartlett
6692499 February 17, 2004 Tormala et al.
6692516 February 17, 2004 West, Jr. et al.
6712849 March 30, 2004 Re et al.
6716224 April 6, 2004 Singhatat
6716957 April 6, 2004 Tunc
6730092 May 4, 2004 Songer
6730124 May 4, 2004 Steiner
6736799 May 18, 2004 Erbe et al.
6737053 May 18, 2004 Goh et al.
6746483 June 8, 2004 Bojarski et al.
6752810 June 22, 2004 Gao et al.
6752831 June 22, 2004 Sybert et al.
6755836 June 29, 2004 Lewis
6761739 July 13, 2004 Shepard
6767037 July 27, 2004 Wenstrom, Jr.
6770076 August 3, 2004 Foerster
6770084 August 3, 2004 Bain et al.
6773450 August 10, 2004 Leung et al.
6779701 August 24, 2004 Bailly et al.
6780190 August 24, 2004 Maroney
6780198 August 24, 2004 Gregoire et al.
6802862 October 12, 2004 Roger et al.
6808502 October 26, 2004 Nguyen
6808526 October 26, 2004 Magerl et al.
6814741 November 9, 2004 Bowman et al.
6830572 December 14, 2004 McDevitt et al.
6833005 December 21, 2004 Mantas et al.
6840953 January 11, 2005 Martinek
6860885 March 1, 2005 Bonutti
6860895 March 1, 2005 Akerfeldt et al.
6863671 March 8, 2005 Strobel et al.
6872040 March 29, 2005 Deeg et al.
6872210 March 29, 2005 Hearn
6875216 April 5, 2005 Wolf
6884249 April 26, 2005 May et al.
6887259 May 3, 2005 Lizardi
6890354 May 10, 2005 Steiner et al.
6893448 May 17, 2005 O'Quinn et al.
6896686 May 24, 2005 Weber
6899722 May 31, 2005 Bonutti
6902573 June 7, 2005 Strobel et al.
6905513 June 14, 2005 Metzger
6908466 June 21, 2005 Bonutti et al.
6916292 July 12, 2005 Morawski et al.
6916321 July 12, 2005 TenHuisen et al.
6921402 July 26, 2005 Contiliano et al.
6923823 August 2, 2005 Bartlett et al.
6923824 August 2, 2005 Morgan et al.
6951565 October 4, 2005 Keane et al.
6966887 November 22, 2005 Chin
6966916 November 22, 2005 Kumar
6969391 November 29, 2005 Gazzani
6969398 November 29, 2005 Stevens et al.
6972027 December 6, 2005 Fallin et al.
6980903 December 27, 2005 Daniels et al.
6986781 January 17, 2006 Smith
6989034 January 24, 2006 Hammer et al.
7001429 February 21, 2006 Ferguson
7004959 February 28, 2006 Bonutti
7048754 May 23, 2006 Martin et al.
7052499 May 30, 2006 Steger et al.
7066942 June 27, 2006 Treace
7066944 June 27, 2006 Laufer et al.
7081126 July 25, 2006 McDevitt et al.
7087064 August 8, 2006 Hyde
7105010 September 12, 2006 Hart et al.
7112221 September 26, 2006 Harris
7118583 October 10, 2006 O'Quinn et al.
7125421 October 24, 2006 Tremulis et al.
7131467 November 7, 2006 Gao et al.
7137996 November 21, 2006 Steiner et al.
7141066 November 28, 2006 Steiner et al.
7144414 December 5, 2006 Harvie et al.
7153127 December 26, 2006 Struble et al.
7153307 December 26, 2006 Scribner et al.
7153312 December 26, 2006 Torrie et al.
7153327 December 26, 2006 Metzger
7160333 January 9, 2007 Plouhar et al.
7201722 April 10, 2007 Krueger
7255675 August 14, 2007 Gertner et al.
7255715 August 14, 2007 Metzger
7261716 August 28, 2007 Strobel et al.
7264634 September 4, 2007 Schmieding
7285124 October 23, 2007 Foerster
7303577 December 4, 2007 Dean
7306417 December 11, 2007 Dorstewitz
7326222 February 5, 2008 Dreyfuss et al.
7329272 February 12, 2008 Burkhart et al.
7361179 April 22, 2008 Rousseau et al.
7377845 May 27, 2008 Stewart et al.
7390329 June 24, 2008 Westra et al.
7390332 June 24, 2008 Selvitelli et al.
7399018 July 15, 2008 Khachaturian
7442210 October 28, 2008 Segal et al.
7465308 December 16, 2008 Sikora et al.
7494506 February 24, 2009 Brulez et al.
7513910 April 7, 2009 Buskirk et al.
7578825 August 25, 2009 Huebner
7585311 September 8, 2009 Green et al.
7597705 October 6, 2009 Forsberg et al.
7601165 October 13, 2009 Stone
7608092 October 27, 2009 Schaffhausen
7608098 October 27, 2009 Stone et al.
7615076 November 10, 2009 Cauthen, III et al.
7621937 November 24, 2009 Pipenhagen et al.
7632287 December 15, 2009 Baker et al.
7651509 January 26, 2010 Bojarski et al.
7658750 February 9, 2010 Li
7658751 February 9, 2010 Stone et al.
7670279 March 2, 2010 Gertner
7678123 March 16, 2010 Chanduszko
7695493 April 13, 2010 Saadat et al.
7731732 June 8, 2010 Ken
7736379 June 15, 2010 Ewers et al.
7749250 July 6, 2010 Stone et al.
7758594 July 20, 2010 Lamson et al.
7758611 July 20, 2010 Kato
7776041 August 17, 2010 Walters
7819895 October 26, 2010 Ginn et al.
7828850 November 9, 2010 Cauthen, III et al.
7857830 December 28, 2010 Stone et al.
7875058 January 25, 2011 Holmes, Jr.
7887586 February 15, 2011 Linares
7905903 March 15, 2011 Stone et al.
7905904 March 15, 2011 Stone et al.
7909851 March 22, 2011 Stone et al.
7938847 May 10, 2011 Fanton et al.
7959650 June 14, 2011 Kaiser et al.
7981140 July 19, 2011 Burkhart
7998203 August 16, 2011 Blum
8062334 November 22, 2011 Green et al.
8075574 December 13, 2011 May et al.
8088130 January 3, 2012 Kaiser et al.
8114127 February 14, 2012 West, Jr.
8114128 February 14, 2012 Cauldwell et al.
8118835 February 21, 2012 Weisel et al.
8118836 February 21, 2012 Denham et al.
8128658 March 6, 2012 Kaiser et al.
8137382 March 20, 2012 Denham et al.
8167906 May 1, 2012 Cauldwell et al.
8221454 July 17, 2012 Schaffhausen
8231654 July 31, 2012 Kaiser et al.
8251998 August 28, 2012 Hoeppner et al.
8252022 August 28, 2012 Holman et al.
20010010005 July 26, 2001 Kammerer et al.
20010014825 August 16, 2001 Burke et al.
20010019649 September 6, 2001 Field et al.
20010037131 November 1, 2001 Schmieding et al.
20010037153 November 1, 2001 Rockwood et al.
20010041916 November 15, 2001 Bonutti
20010041937 November 15, 2001 Rieser et al.
20010041938 November 15, 2001 Hein
20010044639 November 22, 2001 Levinson
20010047206 November 29, 2001 Sklar et al.
20010051816 December 13, 2001 Enzerink et al.
20010053934 December 20, 2001 Schmieding
20020001964 January 3, 2002 Choi
20020004669 January 10, 2002 Bartlett
20020007182 January 17, 2002 Kim
20020010513 January 24, 2002 Schmieding
20020013607 January 31, 2002 Lemer
20020013608 January 31, 2002 ElAttrache et al.
20020019649 February 14, 2002 Sikora et al.
20020029066 March 7, 2002 Foerster
20020032465 March 14, 2002 Lemer
20020055780 May 9, 2002 Sklar
20020058966 May 16, 2002 Tormala et al.
20020077659 June 20, 2002 Johnson et al.
20020099411 July 25, 2002 Bartlett
20020111653 August 15, 2002 Foerster
20020120270 August 29, 2002 Trieu et al.
20020120292 August 29, 2002 Morgan
20020123752 September 5, 2002 Schultheiss et al.
20020128654 September 12, 2002 Steger et al.
20020128684 September 12, 2002 Foerster
20020129820 September 19, 2002 Ryan et al.
20020143336 October 3, 2002 Hearn
20020147463 October 10, 2002 Martinek
20020161401 October 31, 2002 Steiner
20020161439 October 31, 2002 Strobel et al.
20020165548 November 7, 2002 Jutley
20020169452 November 14, 2002 Tormala et al.
20020169477 November 14, 2002 Demopulos et al.
20020169478 November 14, 2002 Schwartz et al.
20020173788 November 21, 2002 Bojarski et al.
20020188298 December 12, 2002 Chan
20020193830 December 19, 2002 Bonutti
20030023268 January 30, 2003 Lizardi
20030032961 February 13, 2003 Pelo et al.
20030033021 February 13, 2003 Plouhar et al.
20030033022 February 13, 2003 Plouhar et al.
20030036797 February 20, 2003 Malaviya et al.
20030036801 February 20, 2003 Schwartz et al.
20030065391 April 3, 2003 Re et al.
20030078585 April 24, 2003 Johnson et al.
20030078603 April 24, 2003 Schaller et al.
20030078617 April 24, 2003 Schwartz et al.
20030083662 May 1, 2003 Middleton
20030083694 May 1, 2003 Miller
20030088251 May 8, 2003 Braun et al.
20030088272 May 8, 2003 Smith
20030105477 June 5, 2003 Schwartz et al.
20030105489 June 5, 2003 Eichhorn et al.
20030120309 June 26, 2003 Colleran et al.
20030130694 July 10, 2003 Bojarski et al.
20030130695 July 10, 2003 McDevitt et al.
20030135214 July 17, 2003 Fetto et al.
20030135239 July 17, 2003 Gabriel et al.
20030135963 July 24, 2003 Holbrook et al.
20030152522 August 14, 2003 Miller et al.
20030153947 August 14, 2003 Koseki
20030167072 September 4, 2003 Oberlander
20030167090 September 4, 2003 Chervitz et al.
20030171811 September 11, 2003 Steiner et al.
20030176865 September 18, 2003 Supinski
20030176919 September 18, 2003 Schmieding
20030181925 September 25, 2003 Bain et al.
20030195528 October 16, 2003 Ritchart
20030195564 October 16, 2003 Tran et al.
20030208210 November 6, 2003 Dreyfuss et al.
20030212456 November 13, 2003 Lipchitz et al.
20030220660 November 27, 2003 Kortenbach et al.
20030225459 December 4, 2003 Hammer et al.
20040002734 January 1, 2004 Fallin et al.
20040006345 January 8, 2004 Vlahos et al.
20040006346 January 8, 2004 Holmen et al.
20040015171 January 22, 2004 Bojarski et al.
20040015172 January 22, 2004 Biedermann et al.
20040024456 February 5, 2004 Brown et al.
20040024457 February 5, 2004 Boyce et al.
20040044391 March 4, 2004 Porter
20040059357 March 25, 2004 Koseki
20040087981 May 6, 2004 Berube et al.
20040092936 May 13, 2004 Miller et al.
20040093032 May 13, 2004 Sinnott et al.
20040098051 May 20, 2004 Fallin et al.
20040098053 May 20, 2004 Tran
20040111117 June 10, 2004 Colleran et al.
20040122431 June 24, 2004 Biedermann et al.
20040133206 July 8, 2004 Stevens et al.
20040133211 July 8, 2004 Raskin et al.
20040138664 July 15, 2004 Bowman
20040138683 July 15, 2004 Shelton et al.
20040138704 July 15, 2004 Gambale et al.
20040138706 July 15, 2004 Abrams et al.
20040138747 July 15, 2004 Kaladelfos
20040143344 July 22, 2004 Malaviya et al.
20040147932 July 29, 2004 Burkinshaw et al.
20040147958 July 29, 2004 Lam et al.
20040153103 August 5, 2004 Schwartz et al.
20040153153 August 5, 2004 Elson et al.
20040162579 August 19, 2004 Foerster
20040166169 August 26, 2004 Malaviya et al.
20040182968 September 23, 2004 Gentry
20040187314 September 30, 2004 Johnson
20040199169 October 7, 2004 Koons et al.
20040204722 October 14, 2004 Sikora et al.
20040220574 November 4, 2004 Pelo et al.
20040225292 November 11, 2004 Sasso et al.
20040225305 November 11, 2004 Ewers et al.
20040236353 November 25, 2004 Bain et al.
20040236373 November 25, 2004 Anspach
20040243139 December 2, 2004 Lewis et al.
20040243178 December 2, 2004 Haut et al.
20040243235 December 2, 2004 Goh et al.
20040249394 December 9, 2004 Morris et al.
20040267164 December 30, 2004 Rhodes et al.
20040267265 December 30, 2004 Kyle
20040267270 December 30, 2004 Jacobs et al.
20040267276 December 30, 2004 Camino et al.
20040267277 December 30, 2004 Zannis et al.
20040267286 December 30, 2004 Gao et al.
20040267304 December 30, 2004 Zannis et al.
20040267309 December 30, 2004 Garvin
20050021087 January 27, 2005 Koseki
20050027307 February 3, 2005 Schwartz et al.
20050033363 February 10, 2005 Bojarski et al.
20050038426 February 17, 2005 Chan
20050055027 March 10, 2005 Yeung et al.
20050055037 March 10, 2005 Fathauer
20050064042 March 24, 2005 Vunjak-Novakovic et al.
20050065521 March 24, 2005 Steger et al.
20050070928 March 31, 2005 Heino et al.
20050074495 April 7, 2005 Schwartz et al.
20050085819 April 21, 2005 Ellis et al.
20050090828 April 28, 2005 Alford
20050090862 April 28, 2005 McDevitt et al.
20050096696 May 5, 2005 Forsberg
20050096697 May 5, 2005 Forsberg et al.
20050096743 May 5, 2005 Schmieding et al.
20050101957 May 12, 2005 Buskirk et al.
20050107795 May 19, 2005 Morris et al.
20050107828 May 19, 2005 Reese
20050119531 June 2, 2005 Sharratt
20050119696 June 2, 2005 Walters et al.
20050124996 June 9, 2005 Hearn
20050125031 June 9, 2005 Pipenhagen et al.
20050125036 June 9, 2005 Roby
20050125073 June 9, 2005 Orban et al.
20050131413 June 16, 2005 O'Driscoll et al.
20050137600 June 23, 2005 Jacobs et al.
20050137624 June 23, 2005 Fallman
20050149033 July 7, 2005 McGuire et al.
20050149122 July 7, 2005 McDevitt et al.
20050149187 July 7, 2005 Clark et al.
20050159812 July 21, 2005 Dinger et al.
20050165416 July 28, 2005 Bojarski et al.
20050165482 July 28, 2005 Goldhahn et al.
20050187565 August 25, 2005 Baker et al.
20050187577 August 25, 2005 Selvitelli et al.
20050187635 August 25, 2005 Metzger
20050203620 September 15, 2005 Steiner et al.
20050222618 October 6, 2005 Dreyfuss et al.
20050222619 October 6, 2005 Dreyfuss et al.
20050228448 October 13, 2005 Li
20050240198 October 27, 2005 Albertson et al.
20050251159 November 10, 2005 Ewers et al.
20050251177 November 10, 2005 Saadat et al.
20050251208 November 10, 2005 Elmer et al.
20050251210 November 10, 2005 Westra et al.
20050267479 December 1, 2005 Morgan et al.
20050267533 December 1, 2005 Gertner
20050277939 December 15, 2005 Miller
20050277961 December 15, 2005 Stone et al.
20050283040 December 22, 2005 Greenhalgh
20050283156 December 22, 2005 Schmieding et al.
20050283158 December 22, 2005 West
20050283192 December 22, 2005 Torrie et al.
20060004410 January 5, 2006 Nobis et al.
20060015103 January 19, 2006 Burke
20060015106 January 19, 2006 Lerch et al.
20060030884 February 9, 2006 Yeung et al.
20060030948 February 9, 2006 Manrique et al.
20060036265 February 16, 2006 Dant
20060052818 March 9, 2006 Drake et al.
20060064125 March 23, 2006 Henderson et al.
20060064126 March 23, 2006 Fallin et al.
20060069334 March 30, 2006 Moskowitz
20060079904 April 13, 2006 Thal
20060084943 April 20, 2006 Rosenman et al.
20060085000 April 20, 2006 Mohr et al.
20060089672 April 27, 2006 Martinek
20060100627 May 11, 2006 Stone et al.
20060100637 May 11, 2006 Rathbun et al.
20060106423 May 18, 2006 Weisel et al.
20060111721 May 25, 2006 Puricelli et al.
20060116685 June 1, 2006 Urbanski et al.
20060121084 June 8, 2006 Borden et al.
20060122611 June 8, 2006 Morales et al.
20060135958 June 22, 2006 Marissen et al.
20060149266 July 6, 2006 Cordasco
20060161161 July 20, 2006 Shifrin et al.
20060167458 July 27, 2006 Gabele
20060167481 July 27, 2006 Baker et al.
20060167482 July 27, 2006 Swain et al.
20060173492 August 3, 2006 Akerfeldt et al.
20060178680 August 10, 2006 Nelson et al.
20060189993 August 24, 2006 Stone
20060190042 August 24, 2006 Stone et al.
20060195101 August 31, 2006 Stevens
20060200235 September 7, 2006 Bianchi et al.
20060212055 September 21, 2006 Karabey et al.
20060229671 October 12, 2006 Steiner et al.
20060235407 October 19, 2006 Wang et al.
20060241624 October 26, 2006 Kizuka et al.
20060247642 November 2, 2006 Stone et al.
20060253130 November 9, 2006 Wolniewicz
20060259048 November 16, 2006 Koseki
20060271192 November 30, 2006 Olsen et al.
20060276793 December 7, 2006 Berry
20060276809 December 7, 2006 Oliveira
20060276841 December 7, 2006 Barbieri et al.
20060280768 December 14, 2006 Hwang et al.
20060282082 December 14, 2006 Fanton et al.
20060282083 December 14, 2006 Fanton et al.
20060282085 December 14, 2006 Stone et al.
20060293709 December 28, 2006 Bojarski et al.
20070005080 January 4, 2007 Wolniewicz et al.
20070010857 January 11, 2007 Sugimoto et al.
20070016305 January 18, 2007 Chudik
20070021779 January 25, 2007 Garvin et al.
20070032800 February 8, 2007 Ortiz et al.
20070038218 February 15, 2007 Grevious
20070043371 February 22, 2007 Teague et al.
20070055249 March 8, 2007 Jensen et al.
20070055251 March 8, 2007 Huebner et al.
20070055255 March 8, 2007 Siegel
20070060922 March 15, 2007 Dreyfuss
20070067025 March 22, 2007 Schwartz
20070073307 March 29, 2007 Scribner et al.
20070078435 April 5, 2007 Stone et al.
20070083236 April 12, 2007 Sikora et al.
20070093847 April 26, 2007 Scribner et al.
20070100350 May 3, 2007 Deffenbaugh et al.
20070118217 May 24, 2007 Brulez et al.
20070123883 May 31, 2007 Ellis et al.
20070142838 June 21, 2007 Jordan
20070156174 July 5, 2007 Kaiser et al.
20070162018 July 12, 2007 Jensen et al.
20070185488 August 9, 2007 Pohjonen et al.
20070185532 August 9, 2007 Stone et al.
20070185568 August 9, 2007 Schwartz
20070191849 August 16, 2007 ElAttrache et al.
20070191853 August 16, 2007 Stone
20070219558 September 20, 2007 Deutsch
20070225719 September 27, 2007 Stone et al.
20070239209 October 11, 2007 Fallman
20070239275 October 11, 2007 Willobee
20070250163 October 25, 2007 Cassani
20070260251 November 8, 2007 Weier et al.
20070260279 November 8, 2007 Hotter et al.
20070270856 November 22, 2007 Morales et al.
20070276387 November 29, 2007 Morales et al.
20080027446 January 31, 2008 Stone et al.
20080046009 February 21, 2008 Albertorio et al.
20080051836 February 28, 2008 Foerster et al.
20080065114 March 13, 2008 Stone et al.
20080071299 March 20, 2008 Allinniemi et al.
20080082101 April 3, 2008 Reisberg
20080082127 April 3, 2008 Stone et al.
20080082128 April 3, 2008 Stone
20080119892 May 22, 2008 Brailovski et al.
20080132753 June 5, 2008 Goddard
20080132932 June 5, 2008 Hoeppner et al.
20080132948 June 5, 2008 Surti et al.
20080140092 June 12, 2008 Stone et al.
20080140093 June 12, 2008 Stone et al.
20080140128 June 12, 2008 Smisson et al.
20080161852 July 3, 2008 Kaiser et al.
20080161861 July 3, 2008 Huebner
20080172097 July 17, 2008 Lerch et al.
20080188933 August 7, 2008 Koob et al.
20080188936 August 7, 2008 Ball et al.
20080221527 September 11, 2008 Bradley et al.
20080221578 September 11, 2008 Zeitani
20080255613 October 16, 2008 Kaiser et al.
20080262544 October 23, 2008 Burkhart
20080268064 October 30, 2008 Woodell-May
20080269674 October 30, 2008 Stone
20080275477 November 6, 2008 Sterrett et al.
20080312689 December 18, 2008 Denham et al.
20090018589 January 15, 2009 Smisson, III et al.
20090018655 January 15, 2009 Brunelle et al.
20090054928 February 26, 2009 Denham et al.
20090062854 March 5, 2009 Kaiser et al.
20090082790 March 26, 2009 Shad et al.
20090082805 March 26, 2009 Kaiser et al.
20090099598 April 16, 2009 McDevitt et al.
20090105754 April 23, 2009 Sethi
20090118774 May 7, 2009 Miller, III
20090118775 May 7, 2009 Burke
20090125073 May 14, 2009 Rehm
20090138002 May 28, 2009 Fenton
20090138054 May 28, 2009 Teague et al.
20090156997 June 18, 2009 Trenhaile
20090163949 June 25, 2009 Rolnick et al.
20090177233 July 9, 2009 Malek
20090192468 July 30, 2009 Stone
20090198277 August 6, 2009 Gordon et al.
20090204146 August 13, 2009 Kaiser et al.
20090228042 September 10, 2009 Koogle, Jr. et al.
20090234357 September 17, 2009 Morales et al.
20090234358 September 17, 2009 Morales et al.
20090240251 September 24, 2009 Gabele
20090240335 September 24, 2009 Arcenio et al.
20090248091 October 1, 2009 Teague et al.
20090265014 October 22, 2009 May et al.
20090306711 December 10, 2009 Stone et al.
20090312776 December 17, 2009 Kaiser et al.
20090318960 December 24, 2009 Burkhart
20090318961 December 24, 2009 Stone et al.
20100042114 February 18, 2010 Schaffhausen
20100087857 April 8, 2010 Stone et al.
20100145384 June 10, 2010 Stone et al.
20100191342 July 29, 2010 Byrd et al.
20100211075 August 19, 2010 Stone
20100256677 October 7, 2010 Albertorio et al.
20100268273 October 21, 2010 Albertorio et al.
20100268275 October 21, 2010 Stone et al.
20100270306 October 28, 2010 Shiffer
20100292792 November 18, 2010 Stone et al.
20100305698 December 2, 2010 Metzger et al.
20100312341 December 9, 2010 Kaiser et al.
20110009885 January 13, 2011 Graf et al.
20110087284 April 14, 2011 Stone et al.
20110098727 April 28, 2011 Kaiser et al.
20110106153 May 5, 2011 Stone et al.
20110160767 June 30, 2011 Stone et al.
20110160768 June 30, 2011 Stone et al.
20110208239 August 25, 2011 Stone et al.
20110208240 August 25, 2011 Stone et al.
20110213416 September 1, 2011 Kaiser
20110218625 September 8, 2011 Berelsman et al.
20110224799 September 15, 2011 Stone
20110264141 October 27, 2011 Denham et al.
20110270278 November 3, 2011 Overes et al.
20110270306 November 3, 2011 Denham et al.
20120041485 February 16, 2012 Kaiser et al.
20120041486 February 16, 2012 Stone et al.
20120046693 February 23, 2012 Denham et al.
20120053630 March 1, 2012 Denham et al.
20120059417 March 8, 2012 Norton et al.
20120059418 March 8, 2012 Denham et al.
20120095470 April 19, 2012 Kaiser et al.
20120123474 May 17, 2012 Zajac et al.
20120123541 May 17, 2012 Albertorio et al.
20120150297 June 14, 2012 Denham et al.
20120165866 June 28, 2012 Kaiser et al.
20120165867 June 28, 2012 Denham et al.
20120165938 June 28, 2012 Denham et al.
20120197271 August 2, 2012 Astorino et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
4957264 March 1966 AU
440266 October 1967 AU
5850469 January 1971 AU
5963869 February 1971 AU
1505470 November 1971 AU
2223767 May 1973 AU
3615171 May 1973 AU
5028569 September 1973 AU
7110887 October 1987 AU
639410 November 1989 AU
651929 August 1994 AU
2529669 March 1976 DE
2747312 April 1979 DE
2818254 October 1979 DE
2919009 November 1979 DE
3027138 December 1981 DE
3225620 February 1983 DE
3136083 March 1983 DE
233303 February 1986 DE
4127550 February 1993 DE
4302397 July 1993 DE
29621340 May 1998 DE
19841252 March 2000 DE
0108912 May 1984 EP
0129422 December 1984 EP
0129442 December 1984 EP
0172130 February 1986 EP
0241240 October 1987 EP
0241792 October 1987 EP
0260970 March 1988 EP
0270704 June 1988 EP
0282789 September 1988 EP
0315371 May 1989 EP
0317406 May 1989 EP
0340159 November 1989 EP
0346183 December 1989 EP
0349173 January 1990 EP
0374088 June 1990 EP
0409364 January 1991 EP
0415915 March 1991 EP
0440991 August 1991 EP
0441065 August 1991 EP
0451932 October 1991 EP
0464480 January 1992 EP
0490417 June 1992 EP
0497079 August 1992 EP
0502509 September 1992 EP
0502698 September 1992 EP
520177 December 1992 EP
0546726 June 1993 EP
0574707 December 1993 EP
0582514 February 1994 EP
0591991 April 1994 EP
0598219 May 1994 EP
0611551 August 1994 EP
0627203 December 1994 EP
0651979 May 1995 EP
0669110 August 1995 EP
0686373 December 1995 EP
0702933 March 1996 EP
0775473 May 1997 EP
0913123 May 1999 EP
0913131 May 1999 EP
99121106 October 1999 EP
991210527 October 1999 EP
0995409 April 2000 EP
1013229 June 2000 EP
1093773 April 2001 EP
1093774 April 2001 EP
1555945 July 2005 EP
2622790 May 1989 FR
2655840 June 1991 FR
2682867 April 1993 FR
2687911 September 1993 FR
2688689 September 1993 FR
2704140 October 1994 FR
2717070 September 1995 FR
2723528 February 1996 FR
2744010 August 1997 FR
2745999 September 1997 FR
2770764 May 1999 FR
401677 November 1933 GB
1413477 November 1975 GB
1485681 September 1977 GB
2083751 March 1982 GB
2118474 November 1983 GB
2227175 July 1990 GB
2253147 September 1992 GB
2312376 October 1997 GB
2403416 January 2005 GB
5362911 May 1978 JP
5362912 May 1978 JP
5374942 June 1978 JP
5378230 June 1978 JP
62159647 July 1987 JP
62295657 December 1987 JP
5269160 October 1993 JP
5300917 November 1993 JP
751292 February 1995 JP
10211213 August 1998 JP
WO-8300615 March 1983 WO
WO-8603666 July 1986 WO
WO-8701270 March 1987 WO
WO-8901767 March 1989 WO
WO-8909030 October 1989 WO
WO-8910096 November 1989 WO
WO-9008510 August 1990 WO
WO-9203980 March 1992 WO
WO-9314705 August 1993 WO
WO-9315694 August 1993 WO
WO-9502373 January 1995 WO
WO-9503003 February 1995 WO
WO-9529637 November 1995 WO
WO-9532670 December 1995 WO
WO-9629029 September 1996 WO
WO-9737603 October 1997 WO
WO-9812991 April 1998 WO
WO-9812992 April 1998 WO
WO-9822047 May 1998 WO
WO-9822048 May 1998 WO
WO-9901084 January 1999 WO
WO-9912480 March 1999 WO
WO-9944544 September 1999 WO
WO-0040159 July 2000 WO
WO-0139671 June 2001 WO
WO-0236020 May 2002 WO
WO-03005914 January 2003 WO
WO-03071962 September 2003 WO
WO-03077772 September 2003 WO
WO-2004091412 October 2004 WO
WO-2005104992 November 2005 WO
WO-2008002550 January 2008 WO
WO-2009012021 January 2009 WO
WO-2011112371 September 2011 WO
WO-2011150238 December 2011 WO
Other references
  • US 6,238,418, 5/2001, Schwartz et al. (withdrawn).
  • “Do your next distal tendon repair with . . . The Lubbers Technique”, Teno Fix® brochure, 2003 (2 pages) Ortheon® Medical.
  • “EZ Loc Femoral Fixation Device,” copyright 2005 Arthrotek, Inc. (8 sheets).
  • “Make your next tendon repair an open-and-shut case. The Teno Fix® Tendon Repair System”, Teno Fix® brochure, 2003 (2 pages) Ortheon® Medical.
  • “PANALOK Anchor with PDS II and ETHIBOND Suture”, Mitek Products ETHICON, 1997.
  • “SE Graft Tensioning System Surgical Technique,” Linvatec Corporation copyright 2003, 2004.
  • “Technique for ACL Reconstruction with Acufex Director Drill Guide and Endobutton CL,” by Thomas D. Roseberg, copyright 1999 Smith & Nephew.
  • A. Weiler, et al; Biodegradierbare Interferenzschrauben in der Kreuzbandchirurgie; OP-JOURNAL 14 pp. 278-284; 1998.
  • Arthrotek, A Biomet Company; Knees; Sure fire Hybrid Meniscal Device.
  • Arthrotek, A Biomet Company; Sure fire Hybrid Meniscal Device; Launch Date: Fall AANA 2004.
  • Bio-Intrafix (TCP/PLA & Intrafix, Tibial Soft Tissue Fasteners, by DePuy Mitek, 6 sheets, (date unknown).
  • F. Alan Barber, M.D., “Uses and Abuses of Sutures and Anchors,” Shoulder Scope, San Diego Shoulder Arthroscopy Library.
  • F. Alan Barber, M.D., “Using Sutures and Anchors,” San Diego Shoulder Arthroscopy Course, 17th Annual Meeting.
  • Flavia Namie Azato, et al. “Traction endurance biomechanical study of metallic suture anchors at different insertion angles,” Acta ortop. bras., vol. 11, No. 1, Sao Paulo, Jan./Mar. 2003.
  • Hecker AT, et al., “Pull-out strength of suture anchors for rotator cuff and Bankart lesion repairs,” Am J Sports Med. 1993.
  • Invitation to Pay Additional Fees mailed Jun. 9, 2011 for PCT/US2011/026349 claiming benefit of U.S. Appl. No. 12/938,902, filed Nov. 3, 2010; and U.S. Appl. No. 12/719,337, filed Mar. 8, 2010.
  • Lawhorn, M.D., Keith, MaxFire™ Meniscal Repair Device with Zip Loop™ Technology, Biomet Sports Medicine, Feb. 29, 2008.
  • Mark D. Miller et al.; “Pitfalls Associated with FasT-Fix Meniscal Repair,” Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, vol. 18, No. 8 Oct. 2002: pp. 939-943.
  • Opus Medical; The AutoCuff System; www.opusmedical.com; 2003.
  • Patrick Hunt, et al.; Development of a Perforated Biodegradable Interference Screw; Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, vol. 21, No. 3; pp. 258-265; Mar. 2005.
  • Roy Alan Majors, M.D.; “Meniscal repairs: proven techniques and current trends,” Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.; 2002.
  • Shoulder Arthroscopy; pp. H-2-H-22.
  • Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, “Endoscopic Meniscal Repair Using the T-Fix;” 1996.
  • Smith & Nephew, “Fast-Fix,” Meniscal Repair System; 2001.
  • Stuart E. Fromm, M.D., RapidLoc, Meniscal Repair System, Mitek Products, Ethicon, 2001.
  • ToggleLoc™, Femoral Fixation Device, Arthrotek, Mar. 31, 2006.
  • “AperFix® System Surgical Technique Guide. Single Tunnel Double Bundle. ™” Cayenne Medical brochure. (Aug. 2008) 8 sheets.
  • “Bio-Intrafix Tibial Soft Tissue Fasteners, Building on the Legacy of IntraFix,” brochure. DePuy Mitek,(Feb. 2007) 6 sheets.
  • “Biomechanical Evaluation of the Biomet Sports Medicine JurggerKnot™ Soft Anchor in Porcine Bone,” Study completed Jan. 2010. Biomet Sports Medicine Research and Development, Warsaw, Indiana. 2 pages.
  • “JuggerKnot™ Soft Anchor Midfoot Repair,” brochure. Biomet Sports Medicine (Jul. 2011) 12 sheets.
  • “JuggerKnot™ Soft Anchor. It's Small. It's strong. And it's all suture . . . ” Ordering Information brochure. Biomet Sports Medicine (Jun. 2011) 2 sheets.
  • “JuggerKnot™ Soft Anchor. Labral Repair,” brochure. Biomet Sports Medicine (Apr. 2011) 12 sheets.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Jul. 28, 2011 for PCT/US2011/026349 claiming benefit of U.S. Appl. No. 12/938,902, filed Nov. 3, 2010; and U.S. Appl. No. 12/719,337, filed Mar. 8, 2010.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Oct. 14, 2011 for PCT/US2011/038188 filed May 26, 2011 claiming benefit of U.S. Appl. No. 12/788,973, filed May 27, 2010 and U.S. Appl. No. 12/788,966, filed May 27, 2010.
  • Invitation to Pay Additional Fees mailed Aug. 5, 2011 for PCT/US2011/038168 claiming benefit of U.S. Appl. No. 12/788,973, filed May 27, 2010 and U.S. Appl. No. 12/788,966, filed May 27, 2010.
  • “Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair using the Meniscal Cinch™”, Surgical Technique brochure. (2008) Arthrex® 6 sheets.
  • Pioneer® Sternal Cable System (2010).
  • Rapid Sternal Closure (2006) KLS Martin L.P. http://www.rapidsternalclosure.com/medical/demo.php Web accessed Sep. 8, 2008.
  • Saxena, Pankaj, MCh, DNB et al., “Use of Double Wires in Sternal Closure, A Useful Technique,” Texas Heart® Institute. Journal List> Tex Heart Inst J > v.33(4); (2006).
  • Zeitani, Jacob, M.D., “A New Stemal Reinforcement Device to Prevent and Treat Sternal Dehiscence,” CTSNet.org (Jun. 30, 2008).
  • Invitation to Pay Additional Fees mailed Jul. 19, 2012, for PCT/US2012/037703 claiming benefit of U.S. Appl. No. 13/109,667, filed May 7, 2011.
Patent History
Patent number: 8500818
Type: Grant
Filed: May 27, 2010
Date of Patent: Aug 6, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20100305709
Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Warsaw, IN)
Inventors: Robert Metzger (Wakarusa, IN), Brian A. Uthgenannt (Winona Lake, IN), Kevin T. Stone (Winona Lake, IN)
Primary Examiner: David Isabella
Assistant Examiner: Marcia Hoffman
Application Number: 12/788,973
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Including Lateral And Medial Condyles (623/20.31); Including An Intermediate Member (623/20.28); Knee Joint Bone (623/20.14); For Knee (623/13.12)
International Classification: A61F 2/38 (20060101);